Chinese power bank maker suspends production after recall, aviation ban
One of China's biggest portable power bank makers has suspended production for at least six months and closed its stores on major Chinese e-commerce platforms after a massive recall of its products and the decision by the country's civil aviation authority to ban unlicensed power banks on flights.
Shenzhen-based Romoss Technology, which sells its products in dozens of countries around the world, notified its employees that the company would suspend operations for six months starting on Monday, according to a report by Chinese media outlet Jiemian on Sunday.
Meanwhile, its online shops on e-commerce platforms Taobao, JD.com and Pinduoduo have been taken offline. Products listed on websites serving overseas clients, including Temu, were also offline as of Monday.
Taobao is operated by Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the South China Morning Post .
The future of Romoss was thrown into uncertainty after its products were found to have serious defects that could lead to fires. On June 16, the company recalled nearly 500,000 portable chargers from three models due to problems with battery cells manufactured between June 5, 2023, and July 31, 2024.
Romoss was not the only power bank maker that recalled its products. Anker, based in Changsha, capital of central Hunan province, last month recalled over 712,000 units across seven power bank models. The company attributed the issue to an unidentified supplier, stating that 'unauthorised changes to raw materials' compromised insulation and led to overheating with repeated use.
China Business News reported that after consultations with the State Administration for Market Regulation, all 3C certifications on Romoss power banks had been suspended, and the company ceased production of all lithium battery products.
China Compulsory Certification, or 3C, is a mandatory safety and quality certification system for products sold in China.
Chinese air travellers were caught off guard when the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a ban on unlicensed lithium-powered charging banks, following the overheating incidents. The ban came into effect two days after the notice was issued on June 28.
Hong Kong restricted carry-on power banks effective April 7 after a series of power bank-related safety concerns. Passengers were prohibited from storing power banks in overhead luggage compartments. In March, a flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was forced to divert to Fuzhou after a fire broke out, reportedly from an overheated power bank. – South China Morning Post
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