FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker Statement on Expected Passage of Federal Lithium-Ion Battery Legislation

December 17, 2024

Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Robert S. Tucker issued the following statement:

"For the last three years, the FDNY has been sounding the alarm about the dangers of uncertified lithium-ion batteries. We have worked tirelessly to stop the injuries, deaths, and extraordinarily dangerous fires that have become all too common with these devices.

"Tuesday night, Congress took a major step towards passing a bill that will help prevent unregulated and uncertified batteries from entering the country, and New York, by requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create a national safety standard for these batteries. It will allow the CPSC to issue recalls for unsafe devices and conduct enforcement of uncertified batteries coming in through our ports.

"This is incredible news, and we applaud our partners in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate for their strong leadership in passing this critical legislation. Since 2019, 929 fires have been caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City, injuring 507 people, and resulting in 33 deaths. We know this legislation, once signed into law, will save lives."