CPSC Proposes Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Rules for eBikes and Scooters; ITC Upholds China Millwork Duties

CPSC Proposes Safety Standard for Micromobility Lithium-Ion Batteries

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to address what it describes as an unreasonable risk of death and injury associated with lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products. For purposes of the NPR, "micromobility product" encompasses eBikes, eScooters (both stand-up and seated), self-balancing scooters such as Hoverboards (eSBscooters), eSkateboards, eUnicycles, and hybrids of these products within CPSC's jurisdiction. The comment deadline is August 24, 2026; comments on both the NPR and Paperwork Reduction Act aspects must be received by that date.

The CPSC states that over a five-year period from 2019 through 2023, it is aware of 227 unique incidents — involving fires, explosions, gas releases, burns, overheating, and smoke inhalation — that potentially could have been prevented by the proposed rule. According to the NPR, 90 of those incidents are associated with 39 fatalities and 181 injuries, and 39 out of the 227 incidents involved multiple deaths and injuries.

The proposed rule centers on a hazard the document identifies as "thermal runaway": a self-sustaining internal cell chemical reaction that results in the rapid generation of heat that ignites the flammable electrolyte. The NPR explains that thermal runaway occurs when burning hot gases create pressure that can cause flaming materials and gases to be ejected from the cell casing, resulting in an explosion and/or fire, which can in turn induce thermal runaway in adjacent cells and ignite combustible material.

In terms of scope, the NPR proposes to regulate not only the electrical systems of micromobility products as sold — including lithium-ion batteries, battery management systems (BMS), chargers, and any other electrical component addressed in the applicable voluntary standard — but also "user replaceable battery packs" sold separately from a micromobility product, aftermarket battery chargers sold separately from a micromobility product, and components sold in eBike electrical system conversion kits. The Commission proposes that these electrical systems comply with applicable voluntary standards, with modifications. Because some micromobility products are children's products requiring third-party testing, the NPR also proposes to add this rule to the list of rules requiring such testing. The affected regulations are 16 CFR 1112 and 16 CFR 1265.

ITC Upholds Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Chinese Wood Millwork

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has determined, on the basis of five-year reviews, that revoking the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on wood mouldings and millwork products from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to a U.S. industry within a reasonably foreseeable time. The Commission made its determinations pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)).

The Commission instituted these reviews on January 2, 2026, and on April 7, 2026 determined that it would conduct expedited reviews. The Commission completed and filed its determinations on June 22, 2026. The reviews cover Investigation Nos. 701-TA-636 and 731-TA-1470. The Commission's views are contained in USITC Publication 5755 (June 2026), entitled Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from China: Investigation Nos. 701-TA-636 and 731-TA-1470 (Review).

SEC Small Business Advisory Committee to Meet July 21

The Securities and Exchange Commission's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The meeting will be conducted at the Commission's headquarters at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, and by videoconference. The agenda includes matters relating to rules and regulations affecting small and emerging businesses and their investors under the federal securities laws. Members of the public may attend in person or watch the webcast on the Commission's website. The SEC notes that this Sunshine Act notice is being issued because a majority of the Commission may attend the meeting.

USDA Farm Service Agency Seeks OMB Clearance for Inventory Property Loan Forms

The Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has submitted an information collection requirement to OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The collection, titled "Farm Loan Program--Inventory Property Management" (OMB Control Number 0560-0234), supports the Farm Loan Program, which provides supervised credit in the form of loans to family farmers to purchase inventory property — including real estate and equipment — and to finance the lease or purchase amount. The agency states that the information is necessary to thoroughly evaluate an applicant's request to purchase inventory property, to determine eligibility to lease or purchase, and to ensure payment of the lease or purchase amount, and that failure to collect the information would result in not complying with congressional mandates. The collection covers 202 respondents with a total burden of 113 hours. Written comments are due by July 24, 2026.

What to Watch

• August 24, 2026 — Deadline for written comments on the CPSC proposed safety standard for lithium-ion batteries in micromobility products (16 CFR 1112 and 1265).
• July 24, 2026 — Deadline for comments on the USDA Farm Service Agency's OMB information collection request (OMB Control Number 0560-0234).
• July 21, 2026 — SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee public meeting, 10:00 a.m. ET, Washington, DC and by videoconference.

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