Chinese Power‑Bank Giant Romoss Halts Production After Safety Recall and Aviation Ban

Shenzhen, July 8, 2025 — Shenzhen-based Romoss Technology, one of China’s top portable power‑bank manufacturers, has stunned the industry by suspending production for six months and pulling its products from major e‑commerce platforms after discovering a critical safety flaw in nearly half a million units of its portable chargers .

Major Recall Over Overheating Risk

On June 16, 2025, Romoss issued a landmark recall, retrieving approximately 491,745 units of its PAC20 series power banks. The recalled models were manufactured between June 5, 2023, and July 31, 2024, after internal inspections flagged metal debris lodged within battery cells—an alarming defect that can trigger overheating, rupture, or even fires  .

Sudden Shutdown and Storefront Purge

Following the safety incident, Romoss abruptly suspended production—effective July 1, 2025—and furloughed a majority of its estimated 690 employees. Salaries were maintained at 80% of Shenzhen’s minimum wage for affected staff, with only essential personnel retained to oversee recall procedures and minimal operations  .

Simultaneously, the company removed all related listings from leading domestic e‑commerce platforms—including Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo—as well as international outlets such as Temu  .

Aviation Ban Tightens Pressure

Romoss’s recall and production hiatus come on the heels of sweeping new regulations from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Since June 28, 2025, Chinese airlines have banned uncertified or recently recalled power banks in cabin luggage  . The CAAC now mandates the presence of a valid 3C (China Compulsory Certification) mark on lithium‑battery chargers to ensure flight safety  .

This move aligns with global aviation safety concerns. Studies from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration report that lithium‑battery overheating incidents inflight have surged from under one per week in 2018 to approximately three every two weeks in 2024  .

Industry‑Wide Shakeup: Apex Wuxi Under Scrutiny

The crisis has rippled through the broader power‑bank ecosystem. Apex Wuxi, a major supplier of battery components to Romoss and competitor Anker, has also suspended production amid a government investigation after facing a temporary revocation of its 3C certification on June 10, 2025  .

The regulator’s probe revealed that Apex altered battery‑cell separator materials—raising red flags about the safety of millions of units. Between mid‑June and July, both Romoss and Anker recalled a combined 1.2 million units due to potential combustion under extreme conditions  .

Rising Stakes for Lithium‑Battery Safety

Lithium‑ion batteries—found in mobile devices, laptops, e‑cigarettes, and power banks—pose rising hazards when internal defects like metal debris or compromised insulation lead to short circuits. The aviation sector, in particular, has experienced flare‑ups: for instance, a January 2025 incident aboard a Busan Air flight was linked to an overheating power bank; similarly, a March diversion of a Hong Kong Airlines flight was traced to a mid‑air power‑bank fire  .

Global airlines have since tightened onboard battery‑powered device regulations. Many now require power banks to be carried only in cabin baggage, visible and under supervision at all times. Some have gone further, banning in‑flight usage or storage in overhead bins altogether  .

What Lies Ahead for Romoss

Romoss’s shutdown and recall threaten its international credibility. With e‑commerce store closures, furloughed staff, and suspended 3C certifications, the company now faces mounting pressure to overhaul its quality control and regulatory compliance.

Analysts suggest Romoss must launch a thorough root‑cause investigation, tighten oversight of component suppliers—including Apex—and regain lost certifications. The current six‑month suspension window offers a narrow path for achieving these goals and restoring consumer trust. Failing to do so may risk permanent erosion of its market presence and allow rivals like Anker to capitalize on stricter safety protocols.


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Reference:
Popov, “Chinese power bank maker suspends production after defects trigger recall, aviation ban,” SCMP, July 8, 2025 
“China bans uncertified and recalled power banks on planes,” Reuters, June 27, 2025 
“Major Chinese Maker of Power Bank Cells Halts Output as Safety Probe Gets Underway,” Yicai Global, July 4, 2025