Rules and regulations

Machinery directive
Early 2010, the European Commission has definitely confirmed that “cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedaling” fall within the scope of Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery.

This Directive contains a list of essential health and safety requirements relating to the design and construction of machinery, i.e. pedelecs. Vehicles may only be placed on the market and/or put into service if they comply with these requirements.

Battery directive
Batteries may contain metals such as zinc, copper, manganese, lithium and nickel, which present a risk to the environment and human health if they are incorrectly disposed of. As a consequence of this, the collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of batteries and accumulators are ruled at European level by Directive 2006/66/EC, also known as the battery directive. This Directive also prohibits the placing on the market of most batteries and accumulators with a certain mercury or cadmium content.

More information on Electromagnetic compatibility and Battery transportation can be found in the Fact sheet on Electric bicycles .

Legal references

• Directive 2002/24/EC relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor
• EN 15194: EPAC – Electrically Power Assisted Cycles
• EN 14764: City and Trekking Bicycles
• Directive 2006/42/EC >on machinery Directive 2004/108/EC relating to electromagnetic compatibility
• European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous goods by Road (ADR)
• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• 2009-2010 ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods
• DIRECTIVE 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators