Reese’s Law

Reese’s Law, mandated federal safety requirements for button cell or coin batteries. The law integrates various standards, including CPSC 16 CFR Part 1293 and UL 4200A. Reese’s Law outlines several critical requirements:

Performance Standards: Products containing button or coin batteries must adhere to stringent performance criteria to prevent accidents related to battery ingestion. 

Labeling and Packaging: The law enforcers new labeling requirements, ensuring that warning labels are visible, and packaging is designed to deter children from accessing the batteries. 

Certification and Compliance: Manufacturers must certify that their products comply with the established safety standards, including CPSC 16 CFR Part 1293 and UL 4200A. 

CPSC 16 CFR Part 1293 – Safety Standard for Button Cell or Coin Batteries

The CPSC's 16 CFR Part 1293 is a comprehensive safety standard for button cell and coin batteries. Effective from March 19, 2024, this regulation mandates specific performance and labeling requirements aimed at reducing the risk of ingestion and injury for children. Key aspects of the standard include: 

• Secure Battery Compartments: Products containing button cell or coin batteries must have compartments that are resistant to access by children. This often involves screws or other locking mechanisms that require tools to open. 
• Warning Labels: Important warning labels must be placed on packaging and the product itself, alerting consumers to the potential dangers of ingestion. These labels must be clear, concise, and easily understandable. 
• Performance Requirements: Batteries must meet rigorous performance standards to ensure they do not leak, overheat, or explode under normal usage conditions. 

UL 4200A – Products Incorporating Button Batteries or Coin Cell Batteries

UL 4200A is a safety standard developed for products that use button batteries or coin cells. This standard complements CPSC 16 CFR Part 1293 by providing additional guidelines focused on the overall safety of consumer products incorporating these batteries. Highlights of UL 4200A include: 

• Design Requirements: Emphasis is placed on designing products in a way that minimizes the risk of children accessing the batteries. This includes the use of tamper-resistant enclosures and securing mechanisms.
• Testing Protocols: Products must undergo rigorous testing to ensure the battery compartments are child-resistant and that the batteries themselves are safe from leakage, overheating, or bursting. 
• Labeling and Instructions: Similar to CPSC standards, UL 4200A requires clear labeling and detailed instructions for safe usage and battery replacement, ensuring consumers are well-informed about the potential hazards. 

Conclusion

Mandating secure battery compartments, clear warning labels, and important performance standards, these regulations work together to mitigate the risk associated with button cell and coin batteries. For manufacturers, complying to these standards is not only a legal obligation by also an important step to ensuring the safety and well-being of there consumers, particularly younger children.

By understanding and using the guidelines by these standards, it can help by reducing the risk associated with button cell and coin batteries. By ensuring compliance, and safety measures, manufacturers and consumer alike can contribute to preventing tragic accidents and safeguarding.

About ACT Lab

ACT Lab is an independent third-party ISO/IEC 17025 testing laboratory and ISO/IEC 17065 certification body specializing in consumer product safety and compliance. Specialties include mechanical and chemical testing of bicycles, bicycle components, e-bicycles and accessories, helmets and head protection, scooters, sporting goods, children’s products, toys, outdoor industry products and more. Founded in 2008 with operations in USA, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Czech Republic, ACT Lab allows customers to deliver safer, more reliable products more effectively and consistently to market. For more information, please visit act-lab.com.

About COTECNA

COTECNA is a leading provider of testing, inspection, and certification services. We offer solutions to facilitate trade and make supply chains safer and more efficient for our clients. Our trusted network of professionals and certified laboratories provide expertise across five key sectors: government & trade solutions, agriculture, food safety, minerals & metals, and consumer goods & retail. Founded in Switzerland in 1974, COTECNA started off as a family business and has now grown to become a world-class international player with over 5,000 employees in more than 100 offices across approximately 50 countries.  For more information, please visit cotecna.com.