From Batteries to Bicycles: New Safety and Due Diligence Rules in China, the EU, and Malaysia
- Charlene
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
Three major regulatory shifts impact how manufacturers approach product safety, due diligence, and electronics certification. Here's what just changed — and what to do next.
🇨🇳 Electric Bicycles – Safety Technical Specification
GB 17761-2024 “Electric Bicycles – Safety Technical Specification” is the latest national standard that outlines the mandatory safety and technical requirements for electric bicycles in China.
This standard was published on December 31, 2024, and will come into effect on September 1, 2025. It defines electric bicycles and covers technical requirements, testing methods, labeling, and safety criteria.
The standard includes detailed requirements for components such as electric motors, batteries (particularly lithium-ion), brake systems, lighting, fireproofing, electronic circuits, and other safety-related elements used in electric bicycles.
Status: Active enforcement - Manufacturers and importers must have their products tested and certified by this standard by authorized testing laboratories. Laboratories are obliged to notify CNCA and CCAP of their testing infrastructures that comply with the new standard.
🏭 What This Means for Manufacturers
Initiate certification procedures immediately for all electric bicycle SKUs intended for the Chinese market.
Coordinate with authorized labs and confirm they have declared updated test capabilities to CNCA and CCAP.
Assign ownership to R&D or product safety teams to ensure component compliance, especially around lithium-ion batteries and fire resistance.
🇪🇺 Council Agrees to Postpone Due Diligence Rules for Batteries
On June 19, 2025, the European Council decided to delay the implementation of environmental and social responsibility (due diligence) obligations for batteries and accumulators by two years.
This decision allows battery manufacturers and suppliers an extended period, giving them from August 18, 2025, to August 18, 2027, to comply with the new regulations.
The EU Commission will publish the implementation guide one year before the obligations enter into force, that is, by 26 July 2026. The postponement only covers due diligence obligations; other rules such as labelling, waste management, and extended producer responsibility remain in force.
Status: In effect - Battery manufacturers, importers, distributors, and all economic operators supplying batteries to the EU market.
In particular, large-scale companies (those with a turnover of 150 million Euros and above) will be at the center of the obligations; some exemptions have been introduced for SMEs and medium-sized companies.
🏭 What This Means for Manufacturers
Use the two-year delay to map your battery supply chains and identify high-risk tiers.
Large enterprises should budget for system-level due diligence tooling in 2026; SMEs should verify their exemption status.
Begin aligning procurement and sustainability teams for ESG risk tracking ahead of the 2026 implementation guide.
🇲🇾 Malaysia Launches New Communications Equipment Framework
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) held a public consultation on the New Communications Equipment Framework (NCEF) from May 20 to June 21, 2024.
This framework aims to streamline the certification, import, registration, labeling, and post-market surveillance of communications equipment in Malaysia, aligning with international standards.
All equipment and suppliers must register with the MCMC based on their risk classification—high, medium, or low (Schemes A, B, and C)—with different requirements for commercial and non-commercial suppliers.
After implementation, there will be a six-month compliance period followed by a six-month transition period to help stakeholders adapt to the new regulations.
Status: In effect - Mobile phones and smartphones, Wireless modems, Wi-Fi routers, network switches and access points, Bluetooth devices, Radio transmitters and receivers, Audio/visual transceivers, Wearable communication devices (smart watches, etc.), All communication devices imported through e-commerce.
🏭 What This Means for Manufacturers
Review product portfolios and classify items according to Schemes A, B, and C to understand your registration path.
E-commerce importers should update logistics and labeling protocols to align with post-market surveillance requirements.
Prepare documentation for MCMC registration and allocate resources for dual-phase compliance (six-month adoption + transition period).
Need to adapt your compliance roadmap for these upcoming shifts? At EcoComply, we translate regulatory complexity into streamlined, actionable updates.
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