Thousands of unsafe ‘hoverboards’ detained over past seven weeks

Latest figures from National Trading Standards and trading standards services in Scotland reveal more than 15,000 self-balancing scooters detained at UK points of entry. Major safety risks identified include issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery or cut-off switch.

More than 17,000 self-balancing scooters – or ‘hoverboards’– have been examined at national entry points since 15 October due to safety concerns*. Of these, over 15,000 (or 88%) have been assessed as unsafe and have been detained at the border. Officers at UK ports and borders have seen a huge spike in the number of these items arriving in recent weeks, destined to end up as gifts under the tree this Christmas.

Officers from National Trading Standards Safety at Ports & Borders Teams and trading standards services in Scotland have detained the boards – a ‘must-have’ on Christmas lists this year – due to a range of concerns, such as safety issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery or the cut-off switch within the board, which often fails. Many of the items detained and sent for testing have been found to have noncompliant plugs without fuses, which increases the risk of the device overheating, exploding or catching fire.

Products that have been tested have failed with significant safety issues and over 15,000 products detained have identical or very similar features to those already deemed as unsafe. With such large numbers being sent for testing since October many testing houses are full to capacity and additional staff training is underway to help meet the demand.

In recent months these faults have caused extensive damage to people’s property and National Trading Standards – in conjunction with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute – is urging consumers to be vigilant this Christmas and avoid putting households at risk with unsafe products.

Lord Toby Harris, Chair, National Trading Standards, said:

“Our teams at sea ports, postal hubs and airports have seen a significant spike in the number of unsafe ‘hoverboards’ arriving at national entry points in recent weeks and are working around-the-clock to prevent dangerous items from entering the supply chain. Protecting consumers from harm is our top priority and our Safety at Ports and Borders teams are preventing thousands of these unsafe items from being released onto the market every day.

“We suspect that most of these products are being imported for onward sale domestically as Christmas approaches – we urge consumers to be on their guard when purchasing these products and advise you read our product safety checklist to help ensure you are not purchasing a dangerous item.

“If you do suspect any sellers, websites or products of being unsafe we urge you to report them to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.”

Nick Boles, Consumer Minister, said:

“At this time of year, consumers are under pressure to get the best presents for their loved ones, however it is important that their safety is put above all else. Shoppers should think twice before choosing products from a site that does not appear genuine, and the checklist that National Trading Standards has produced is extremely useful. I urge anyone who suspects a hoverboard not to be genuine to report it to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.”

Leon Livermore, chief executive, Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said:

“Criminals and irresponsible manufacturers will often exploit high demand and attempt to flood the market with cheap and dangerous products.

“Consumers should not let a new fashion or craze cloud their judgement and remain vigilant at all times, to avoid taking home an unsafe product.

“Some products that are made abroad, principally for the overseas market, are not fitted with the correct plug and fuse for use in the UK.

“As a minimum consumers should check that the three pin plug on the device states it is made to BS 1363. If it doesn’t include this information, then don’t buy the product.

“Trading standards services take product safety extremely seriously but retailers must share this responsibility, to stop substandard products entering the marketplace.”

Whether you already own one of these products or are purchasing for a loved one this Christmas, National Trading Standards has compiled the following top tips for consumers thinking of purchasing self-balancing scooters. You can also click here to download the Henry Hoverboard top tips poster, created by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Consumer Enpowerment Alliance.