“失控”的充电宝

Core Viewpoint - The mobile power bank safety crisis has escalated rapidly, with major brands like Romoss, Ugreen, Baseus, and Xiaomi facing significant issues due to the suspension of 3C certifications for their products [2][3]. Group 1: Crisis Background - On June 26, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued an emergency notice tightening the safety regulations for power banks, prohibiting the carrying of non-3C certified or recalled models on domestic flights starting June 28 [2]. - The crisis was foreshadowed by incidents such as a fire on an international flight linked to a Romoss power bank and subsequent bans from several universities on the use of specific models due to high self-ignition risks [2][21]. Group 2: Root Causes - The crisis is rooted in pricing pressures, with the retail price of a Romoss 20000mAh power bank dropping from around RMB 129-149 in 2021 to as low as RMB 69 by the end of 2024, pushing manufacturers to cut costs [5]. - The cost of a reliable battery cell is approximately RMB 40-50, while the total material cost for a power bank is at least RMB 50-60, excluding R&D and marketing expenses [5]. - Manufacturers are increasingly using lower-grade battery cells (B-grade) to reduce costs, which compromises safety and reliability [6]. Group 3: Supplier Issues - Some companies have been found to use substandard raw materials, with Romoss acknowledging that certain battery cells had defects that could lead to combustion risks [8]. - Anker Innovation reported that some batches of their battery cells had unauthorized material changes, which could lead to insulation failure and overheating [9]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The defect rate of power bank products has been rising, with the non-compliance rate increasing from 19.8% in 2020 to 44.4% in 2023 [14]. - The nature of non-compliance has shifted to core safety functions, with reports of power banks failing safety tests and causing fires or explosions [15][16]. Group 5: Market Impact - Sales channels have been severely affected, with major platforms like Taobao and JD.com removing Romoss products from listings [18]. - Logistics companies have halted the collection of recalled Romoss products due to safety concerns, complicating the recall process [19][20]. Group 6: Regulatory Changes - Multiple brands, including Romoss and Anker, have had their 3C certification statuses changed to "suspended," preventing the sale of non-compliant products [22]. - New regulations require manufacturers to ensure that mass-produced products match the quality of certified samples, increasing scrutiny on product quality [23][24]. Group 7: Industry Reflection - The crisis serves as a warning for the industry, highlighting the dangers of excessive price competition and the need for better supplier management to ensure product safety [24][25].