Reese’s Law Battery
Testing & Labeling

Reese’s Law requires products with button cell or coin batteries to have secure compartments, child-resistant packaging, and clear warning labels to prevent accidental ingestion by children

Reese’s Law Requirements 

Reese’s Law, enacted in 2022, mandates enhanced safety standards for consumer products containing button cell or coin batteries to prevent child access and digestion. Compliance with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards (16 CFR 1263) includes rigorous performance, labeling, packaging requirements. All consumer products must adhere to the ANSI/UL 4200A standard, ensuring, adequate safeguards for battery compartments and appropriate warning labels on packaging to protect young children from accidental exposure.

Testing Types

CPSC 16 CFR Part 1293 – Safety Standards 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. 

Compliance Requirements 

Manufacturers of children’s products covered under the new standards must have their products tested by a CPSC-approved third-party laboratory and obtain a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). For general-use products, a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) is required. All manufacturers are responsible for self-certifying with the CPSC to confirm their products meet the updated compliance standards.

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