Regulatory information | The CPSC has issued new regulation ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 for button and coin batteries

On September 11, 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to adopt ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 "Button Battery or Coin Battery Product Safety Regulations" as a mandatory safety standard for button battery or coin battery product safety Regulations. The standard includes requirements to prevent ingestion or aspiration of button/coin batteries, including abuse testing (drop, impact, squeeze, twist, pull, compression, and battery compartment safety), and labeling requirements for products and packaging. The standard will become effective 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Reese's Law & ANSI/UL 4200A-2023

Reese's Law

The name of the bill is in honor of Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old Texas toddler who died after ingesting a button battery in her remote control, so the legislation aims to prevent children from being harmed by these button batteries in everyday household items. Under Reese's Law, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) imposes federal safety requirements on button or coin batteries and consumer products containing such batteries. These requirements do not apply to children's toy products under the age of 14 (provided that such products meet the corresponding toy standard requirements).

ANSI/UL 4200A-2023

Consistent with Reese's Law, ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 requires that the battery compartment be opened using a tool such as a screwdriver or coin, or manually by applying at least two separate and simultaneous actions; In addition, such consumer products must pass a series of performance tests that simulate reasonably foreseeable use or misuse. The standard also includes labeling requirements for consumer products containing button or coin batteries, as well as labeling requirements for consumer product packaging.

The legislation, which was signed into law in August 2022, requires the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish mandatory requirements for a range of battery-powered consumer products that use button or coin batteries to prevent their use by children. Toys are not subject to the Riess Law because they are already covered by ASTM F963. On September 11, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to adopt ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 Safety Standard for Products containing Button Batteries or Coin Batteries as a mandatory safety rule for consumer products containing button batteries or coin batteries.

ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 requirements are as follows

Child-safe compartments: Consumer products covered by this standard must have child-safe battery compartments. This can be done by either needing to open the battery box with a tool such as a screwdriver or a coin, or manually opening the battery box using at least two separate and simultaneous actions. The regulation aims to prevent young children from having easy access to batteries.

Packaging Requirements: After February 12, 2023, any button or coin battery for sale, manufactured for sale, imported into the United States, or separately included in consumer products must meet the child-safe packaging requirements of the Anti-Virus Packaging Standard. The packaging requirements do not apply to button or coin batteries manufactured or imported on or before February 12, 2023.

Performance testing: Consumer products that meet this standard must pass a series of performance tests that simulate reasonably foreseeable use or misuse.

Labeling requirements: The mandatory standard includes specific labeling requirements for button or coin battery packaging and consumer products containing these batteries, designed to warn consumers of the dangers of ingestion by children.

Warm tips

ZRLK recommends that enterprises that manufacture or export button/coin batteries or products containing button/coin batteries always pay attention to the mandatory standards, timely adjust the production process, strictly control the quality of the products, and ensure that the products meet the control requirements of ANSI/UL 4200A-2023. Our company has rich experience in product testing, can help you easily understand whether the product safety compliance, if you need, please feel free to contact us, our engineers will be the first time to serve you!