Kiwa SCM updates e-bike security certification with 50% recovery rate rule

Dutch certifier Kiwa SCM tightens e-bike security quality mark, requiring 50% recovery rates amid high theft numbers.

Netherlands-based certification institute Kiwa SCM has revised its quality mark for electronic security systems used on e-bikes. The updated standard now includes a stringent requirement that such systems achieve a recovery rate of at least 50%. This change is intended to give buyers a clearer benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-theft technology.

The move comes against a backdrop of significant e-bike theft in the Netherlands, with an estimated 100,000 bikes stolen annually in that country alone. Kiwa SCM has launched the updated Electronic security system certification to address this issue, making recovery performance a core criterion rather than a secondary feature.

For dealers and distributors, the revised certification means that security products carrying the Kiwa SCM mark will have demonstrated a minimum level of real-world recovery success. This could simplify product selection, as the mark now signals a verified capability to locate and return stolen bikes, which may influence customer confidence and after-sales service expectations.

The updated standard is likely to affect which security systems are stocked by European bike shops. Products that meet the 50% recovery threshold may gain a competitive edge, while those that fall short could face reduced demand. Importers should verify that their current or planned security product lines comply with the new requirement to avoid holding non-certified inventory.