Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams have announced new enforcement measures to combat the sale of uncertified lithium-ion batteries, a move aimed at enhancing public safety.

“The data is clear: Unsafe, uncertified batteries pose a real threat to New Yorkers and their property,” stated Mayor Adams.

Under Local Laws 49 and 50, the city can now shut down retailers repeatedly selling uncertified batteries and micromobility devices.

“Lithium-ion batteries pose significant fire risks,” emphasized Speaker Adams, highlighting the critical need for regulation.

DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga expressed the city’s commitment to consumer safety, saying, “We need retailers to understand that this is an urgent safety issue.” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker added, “Recklessly, repeatedly selling uncertified lithium-ion batteries is criminal.”

The initiative follows Local Law 39, mandating certification of all battery-powered devices and is part of the broader “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” action plan. Councilmember Gale Brewer, the primary sponsor of the laws, noted, “Cities across America are grappling with lithium-ion battery fires… the city must continue to lead on the regulation of sales and uses.”

State officials, including Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Al Taylor, praised the efforts, reinforcing the importance of certified batteries to prevent tragedies like those caused by uncertified batteries, which resulted in 268 fires last year.

With these regulations, New York City aims to safeguard its residents from the dangers posed by uncertified lithium-ion batteries and promote safer micromobility across the city.