Most electric scooters sold in Belgium failed safety checks

A large number of electric scooters sold in Belgium do not comply with current regulations, according to recent checks carried out by the economy ministry at the request of consumer protection minister Rob Beenders (Vooruit).

Of the 40 electric scooters inspected, only five were fully compliant. Half of the scooters inspected were sold online and the other half in physical shops. Only three of the scooters sold online complied with Belgian legislation, and just two in physical shops.

The issues identified with the scooters are varied. Important information such as the manufacturer’s or importer’s contact details were missing in some cases, or warnings and safety instructions were not available in the correct language, or the CE marking indicating that a product is safe according to European rules was absent.

For some of the scooters, instructions for safe use were non-existent or unclear, or the mandatory declaration certifying that the product complies with European rules was missing or incomplete.

“These are not insignificant details,” said Beenders. “These are basic rules that ensure people can use a product safely.”

Beenders has decided to withdraw from sale all non-compliant products discovered during the inspections. Further technical tests will also be carried out this year on electric scooters.