United States — Ekhbary News Agency
Amazon and UL recently settled a lawsuit against Chinese ebike manufacturers, Aipas, over false claims of UL safety certification. This legal action, initiated in January, targeted companies for misleading online shoppers with fraudulent safety marks on Amazon listings and Aipas' website. A federal judge signed a permanent injunction on July 15, prohibiting the use of the UL mark and any assistance in such deception.
Persistent Misrepresentation Despite Court Order
Despite the injunction, WIRED discovered Aipas Ebike Facebook ads still featuring UL's bright red logo in mid-July, after the agreement. Meta's Ad Library shows other active ads using the UL mark from April and May, even months post-lawsuit filing. While some Aipas ebikes eventually secured certifications from a recognized body, some of these certificates are now inactive, for what it's worth. Both Amazon and UL spokespersons declined direct comment on the lawsuit, but UL confirmed they are “aware and working to resolve” the Facebook ad issues.
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Widespread Safety Certification Concerns
Product safety expert Donald Mays notes that fraudulent safety certifications are a “common problem” with troubling implications, particularly for electric mobility devices. A US government report in April linked 45 fatalities between 2017 and 2024 to lithium-ion battery fires in mobility devices, with 19 specifically from ebikes. The New York City Fire Department recorded 277 such fires in 2024, a slight increase from 268 in 2023, predominantly associated with ebikes and replacement battery packs. Consumer Reports analyst Gabe Knight highlights that online marketplaces increase consumer risk of buying products with fabricated certification marks, urging consumers to prioritize devices “designed, manufactured, and certified for compliance by an accredited laboratory.” This situation underscores a critical need for stricter oversight on third-party sellers.
