In a sweeping crackdown this July, several of China’s top power‑bank manufacturers—including Romoss and Anker Innovations—announced recalls totaling over 1.2 million devices, citing serious lithium‑ion battery defects that pose fire and overheating risks.
Scale and Causes
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Romoss Technology, headquartered in Shenzhen, recalled 491,745 units produced between June 5, 2023, and July 31, 2024. The recall was driven by reports that battery cells contained metallic debris, resulting from upstream supplier contamination, which could cause thermal runaway.
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Anker Innovations, also based in Shenzhen, followed with its own recall: approximately 712,000 units in China, plus over 1.15 million PowerCore 10000 (model A1263) devices recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission due to 19 overheating incidents and two minor injuries.
Regulatory Response
China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) issued an emergency directive prohibiting passengers from bringing uncertified or recalled power banks onto domestic flights. Authorities emphasized that only power banks displaying the mandatory 3C (China Compulsory Certification) mark are allowed on board.
Furthermore, following media coverage of incidents—including an in‑flight overheating episode involving a Romoss power bank on a Hong Kong Airlines flight—the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) suspended or revoked several manufacturers’ 3C certifications until compliance could be verified.
Industry Implications
China is the world’s dominant producer of lithium‑ion cells—manufacturing roughly 80% of global supply and powering over 73% of lithium‑battery capacity. Major firms like CATL and EVE Energy supply the automotive and energy storage sectors. However, this recall episode displays how defects in component quality can reverberate through the entire ecosystem—from portable electronics to electric vehicles.
Romoss’s admission that it does not produce battery cells in‑house, coupled with contamination in its supply chain, has underscored the critical need for quality control at the cell level. Anker’s publicized partnership with ATL (Amperex Technology Limited) to secure 45 million cells highlights a strategic pivot towards prioritized cell-quality traceability after sourcing issues.
Market and Consumer Fallout
The recall wave has disrupted logistics and sales channels—leading to flight bans and bans by courier services like SF Express, which temporarily refused to transport affected power banks. Romoss has suspended e‑commerce and offline operations for at least six months and initiated employee furloughs.
Consumers are being urged to check affected models and serial numbers, register for free replacements or refunds, and adhere to strict hazardous‑waste disposal procedures for recalled lithium packs.
Looking Ahead
This episode could catalyze a broader industry realignment, pushing smaller brands to vertically integrate or forge tighter partnerships with certified cell-makers, and compelling regulators to impose stricter enforcement of 3C standards.
Moreover, enhanced aviation safety rules and global scrutiny—evidenced by rising incidents of lithium‑battery fires reported by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration—suggest that structural changes are necessary to prevent future risks.