MCPC Develops Cross-Industry "Safety and Quality Guidelines" Amidst Rising Mobile Battery Fire Incidents

The Mobile Computing Promotion Consortium (MCPC) has established the "Mobile Battery Safety and Quality Guidelines" in response to the increasing number of ignition and fire accidents caused by mobile batteries in recent years. These guidelines are positioned as cross-industry guidelines that, separate from compliance with the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (PSE), include management systems for the manufacturing process, traceability, and after-sales service systems, aiming to create an environment where consumers can choose safer products. ## Background of Guideline Development According to public data from the Tokyo Fire Department, fire accidents caused by mobile batteries have been on an upward trend year by year, reaching record highs recently. *1 The background to this situation includes the diversification of product distribution channels through online retail and the existence of products with opaque manufacturing and quality control systems. *2 MCPC has focused on the importance of continuous management of the manufacturing process, which cannot be fully grasped solely through checks for legal compliance, and the importance of an after-sales service system in the event of an accident. Therefore, with the aim of preventing accidents and fires, they have repeatedly deliberated with expert members. Furthermore, MCPC intends to develop these guidelines as an initiative that will serve as a reference for social discussions, while also sharing information with relevant organizations in the future and considering public standardization. ## Overview of Safety and Quality Guidelines These guidelines establish improvements in the manufacturing quality of lithium-ion batteries incorporated into mobile batteries (e.g., strengthening supplier management, enhancing traceability, X-ray inspection confirmation, etc.) and the after-sales service systems of battery vendors (e.g., whether customer inquiry contact points are available). "Mobile Battery Safety and Quality Guidelines Overview Explanation" *3 ・MCPC GL-015 Mobile Battery Safety and Quality Improvement Guidelines Version 1.0 ・This specification document can be downloaded and used from the MCPC website. ・ In formulating these guidelines, opinions and consultations were held periodically with the Product Safety Division, Industrial Safety and Security Department, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the guidelines were introduced at the ministry's Product Safety Subcommittee on March 19th. *4 ・Comment from Mobile Battery Vendor 　(Company A) 　Mobile batteries are indispensable in daily life, but accidents can lead to serious damage. We hope that these guidelines will help in selecting safe products and preventing accidents. ## Position of the Guidelines These guidelines do not indicate the superiority of existing legally compliant products or specific products/businesses. ## Future Plans Going forward, MCPC plans to deliberate on the specific methods for evaluation and operation based on these guidelines. Detailed information will be announced once preparations are complete. It should be noted that these guidelines and any future certification systems under consideration do not substitute for legally based certifications or third-party certifications, nor do they guarantee the safety of specific products or the prevention of accidents. 【Regarding Inquiries】 Questions regarding this matter are accepted via email.