The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued Withdrawal Notices to distributors requiring that UPP Battery e-bike battery packs be removed from sale, in a product safety report published on 22 January 2024 and updated on 23 January 20241. The product is a triangular lithium-ion battery pack for e-bikes, sold under the brand UPP Battery (Unit Pack Power) in models U004 and U004-1, manufactured in China1. The report lists the marketplaces named in the product description as Amazon, AliBaba, eBay, Made in China and Desertcart, with Desertcart added to the list on 23 January 20241.
The OPSS states that the product presents a serious risk of fire as there is the potential for it to enter into thermal runaway, and that it does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 20051. The risk level is given as serious and the measure type as withdrawal of the product from the market1. The case number is 2401-00831.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | UPP Battery (Unit Pack Power) |
| Model numbers | U004 and U004-1 |
| Battery type | 18650 (U004) and 21700 (U004-1) |
| Country of origin | China |
| Product description | Triangular lithium-ion battery packs for e-bikes |
| Risk level | Serious |
| Corrective action | Withdrawal Notices issued to distributors requiring removal from sale |
"Owners are advised to stop using the battery immediately and dispose of it safely via their local household waste disposal site."
The OPSS adds that consumers should check first with their local centre if they accept this type of battery, and points to the GOV.UK page on disposing of household waste for further information1. The report also links to the Government safety message on e-bikes and e-scooters1.
Why it matters for households
The notices apply to distributors, requiring the product to be removed from sale, so the packs may still be in use in households that bought them before the report was published. The OPSS advice is directed at owners of the battery: to stop using it immediately and dispose of it safely via their local household waste disposal site, checking first with the local centre whether it accepts this type of battery1. The hazard identified is the potential for the battery to enter thermal runaway, which the OPSS describes as a serious risk of fire1. Households can check whether an electrical product has been recalled using the guide on how to check if an electrical product has been recalled, and further background on official warnings is available in the staying informed hub.
What happens next
The report was first published on 22 January 2024 and last updated on 23 January 2024, when Desertcart was added to the list of online marketplaces1. No further steps, such as a recall number for consumers or a closing date for the notices, have been reported1.
Checking Product Recalls
