The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to approve a mandatory standard to reduce button cell and coin battery ingestion hazards to children six years and younger. These batteries are used in many types of consumer products from keyless entry remotes and wireless game controllers.

Pursuant to Reese's Law, CPSC voted to adopt ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 Standard for Safety for Products Incorporating Button Batteries or Coin Cell Batteries, as the mandatory standard for consumer products containing button cell or coin batteries. The Commission also established labeling requirements for button cell or coin battery packaging.

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

Reese's Law, enacted August 16, 2022, mandates that CPSC implement federal safety requirements for button cell or coin batteries and consumer products containing such batteries.  These requirements do not apply to toy products for children under 14 if the products comply with the Toy Standard.  Additionally, the law requires that any button cell or coin battery offered for sale, manufactured for sale, imported into the U.S., or included separately with a consumer product, meet the child-resistant packaging requirements in the Poison Prevention Packaging Standards after February 12, 2023.  These packaging requirements do not apply to button cell or coin batteries manufactured or imported on or before February 12, 2023.

Consistent with Reese’s Law, ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 requires either the use of a tool such as a screwdriver or coin to open the battery compartment, or the application of at least two independent and simultaneous movements to open by hand;  additionally, such consumer products must pass a series of performance tests simulating reasonably foreseeable use or misuse.  The standard also includes labeling requirements for consumer products containing button cell or coin batteries, and labeling requirements for consumer product packaging.

Ensuring Consumer Confidence

The implementation of the mandatory safety standard ANSI/UL 4200A-2023, in line with Reese's Law, signifies a significant step towards enhancing consumer safety in relation to button and coin cell batteries. Manufacturers must prioritize compliance with these regulations to protect consumers, especially young children, from the potential hazards associated with battery ingestion.

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