How do different countries have different safety standards for electric wheelchairs?

How do different countries have different safety standards for electric wheelchairs?
As an important tool for assisting mobility, the safety of electric wheelchairs is of vital importance. Different countries have formulated different safety standards for electric wheelchairs based on their own industrial standards and regulatory environments. The following is an overview of the safety standards for electric wheelchairs in some major countries and regions:

1. China
China has clear regulations on the safety standards for electric wheelchairs. According to the national standard GB/T 12996-2012 “Electric Wheelchairs”, it is applicable to various electric wheelchairs (including electric scooters) driven by electricity and used by disabled or elderly people who only carry one person and the user mass does not exceed 100kg. This standard strengthens the safety performance requirements for electric wheelchairs, including electrical safety, mechanical safety and fire safety. In addition, the results of the electric wheelchair comparison test released by the China Consumers Association also show that the 10 electric wheelchairs tested can meet the daily travel needs of consumers

2. Europe
Europe’s standard development for electric wheelchairs is relatively comprehensive and representative. European standards include EN12182 “General Requirements and Test Methods for Technical Assistive Devices for the Disabled” and EN12184-2009 “Electric Wheelchairs”. These standards cover the safety, stability, braking and other aspects of electric wheelchairs.

3. Japan
Japan has a huge demand for wheelchairs, and the relevant supporting standards are relatively complete. Japanese wheelchair standards have detailed classifications, including JIS T9203-2010 “Electric Wheelchair” and JIS T9208-2009 “Electric Scooter”. Japanese standards pay special attention to the environmental performance and sustainable development of products, and promote the green transformation of the wheelchair industry.

4. Taiwan
Taiwan’s wheelchair development started early, and there are 28 current wheelchair standards, mainly including CNS 13575 “Wheelchair Dimensions”, CNS14964 “Wheelchair”, CNS15628 “Wheelchair Seat” and other series of standards

5. International Standards
The International Organization for Standardization ISO/TC173 “Technical Committee for Standardization of Rehabilitation Assistive Devices” has formulated a series of international standards for wheelchairs, such as ISO 7176 “Wheelchair” with a total of 16 parts, ISO 16840 “Wheelchair Seat” and other series of standards. These standards provide uniform technical specifications for the safety performance of wheelchairs around the world.

6. United States
The safety standards for electric wheelchairs in the United States are mainly stipulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires electric wheelchairs to meet certain accessibility requirements. In addition, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has also developed relevant standards, such as ASTM F1219 “Electric Wheelchair Performance Test Method”

Summary
Different countries have different safety standards for electric wheelchairs, which reflect the differences in technological development, market demand and regulatory environment. With the development of globalization, more and more countries have begun to adopt or refer to international standards to ensure the safety and reliability of electric wheelchairs. It is crucial for electric wheelchair manufacturers and users to understand and comply with the safety standards of the target market.