A sweeping safety crisis has engulfed China's power bank industry, culminating in the largest consumer electronics recall in history and unprecedented aviation restrictions. The crisis began when multiple Beijing universities issued emergency notices banning specific Romoss power banks from dormitories after incidents of devices self-igniting and burning through desks, triggering entire floor fire suppression systems.
Aviation Incidents Spark Industry-Wide Investigation
The safety concerns trace back to a series of alarming aviation incidents throughout 2025. On March 20, a Romoss 20,000mAh power bank caught fire aboard Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115 from Hangzhou to Hong Kong, filling the cabin with smoke and flames. This was followed by similar incidents on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6850 on May 31 and Shanghai Airlines flight FM9449 on June 13. Civil aviation authorities recorded 15 power bank-related incidents in 2025 alone, prompting urgent regulatory action.
Aviation Safety Statistics (2025):
- Total power bank-related incidents: 15
- Notable incidents: Hong Kong Airlines HX115 (March 20), China Southern CZ6850 (May 31), Shanghai Airlines FM9449 (June 13)
- New restriction: No power banks without clear 3C certification allowed on domestic flights (effective June 28)
Unprecedented Recall Scale Shakes Consumer Confidence
The crisis reached its peak in mid-June when industry giants began issuing massive product recalls. Romoss initially denied safety issues on June 14, dismissing concerns as information transmission bias. However, just 48 hours later, the company reversed course with an emergency recall of 491,700 units across three models produced between June 2023 and July 2024, citing battery cell material defects that could cause overheating and combustion in extreme scenarios.
Anker Innovation followed suit four days later, recalling seven power bank models totaling 713,000 units due to insulation failure of separators. The combined recall of over 1.2 million devices represents the largest safety recall in consumer electronics history, devastating consumer trust in what were previously considered premium brands.
Recalled Power Bank Models:
- Romoss: PAC20-272, PAC20-392, PLT20A-152 (491,700 units total)
- Anker: A1642, A1680 and 5 other models (713,000 units total)
- Total recalled: Over 1.2 million devices
Regulatory Crackdown Exposes Widespread Certification Issues
China's State Administration for Market Regulation intensified oversight by suspending or revoking 3C certification certificates for numerous power bank manufacturers. Romoss faced the most severe impact, with nearly all 329 of its power bank model certifications suspended, revoked, or canceled. The regulatory action extended to upstream suppliers, with battery cell manufacturer Amprius (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. having over 70 certificates revoked.
On June 26, the Civil Aviation Administration of China implemented the strictest power bank restrictions in aviation history. Effective June 28, passengers are prohibited from carrying power banks without clear 3C certification marks or those from recalled batches on domestic flights. The regulation has created chaos at airports nationwide, with security checkpoints accumulating mountains of confiscated devices.
3C Certification Impact:
- Romoss affected models: 329 certifications suspended/revoked/canceled
- Upstream supplier Amprius (Wuxi): 70+ certificates revoked
- Mandatory implementation date: August 2024
- Brands affected: Romoss, Anker, Xiaomi, Pisen, UGREEN
Supply Chain Defects Reveal Industry Cost-Cutting Practices
Investigation into the root causes reveals systematic quality compromises driven by price competition. Legitimate 20,000mAh lithium batteries cost over CNY 50 to manufacture, yet some retail power banks sell for as low as CNY 69, forcing manufacturers to cut corners on critical safety components. The defective battery cells feature substandard separators using cheap plastic instead of heat-resistant ceramic layers, failing at temperatures as low as 80°C rather than the required 150°C threshold.
Quality control data shows mobile power bank inspection failure rates skyrocketed from 19.8% in 2020 to 44.4% in 2023. Many manufacturers adopted C-grade battery cells, including refurbished or obsolete components, to achieve 30% cost savings per unit. This race to the bottom compromised essential safety features like battery management systems and thermal protection circuits.
Quality Control Decline:
- 2020 inspection failure rate: 19.8%
- 2023 inspection failure rate: 44.4%
- Cost difference between legitimate vs. C-grade battery cells: 30%
- Minimum legitimate 20,000mAh battery cost: CNY 50+
Consumer Response and Market Disruption
The recall process itself became problematic when major courier services including SF Express, JD Logistics, and Yunda refused to handle returned power banks due to fire hazard concerns. This led to the absurd situation of consumers unable to return potentially dangerous devices, with power bank can't be returned trending on Chinese social media.
Manufacturers eventually recommended consumers neutralize recalled devices by soaking them in salt water for 24 hours before disposal as hazardous waste. Meanwhile, unscrupulous sellers began offering fake 3C certification stickers on e-commerce platforms before authorities shut down these operations.
Industry Transformation and Safety Standards
The crisis has forced a fundamental shift in the power bank industry from price competition to safety prioritization. The mandatory 3C certification requirement, fully implemented since August 2024, now serves as the minimum safety threshold. Consumers are advised to verify certification authenticity through official databases and avoid suspiciously low-priced products that cannot cover the cost of legitimate safety components.
Major brands like Romoss have withdrawn products from major e-commerce platforms, with the company's official stores now selling only charging cables and adapters. The industry consolidation may ultimately benefit consumers by eliminating unsafe products, though it comes at the cost of reduced options and higher prices for compliant devices that prioritize safety over aggressive pricing.