The mandatory standards for button and coin batteries and products that use them were implemented in December of 2020 and their transition period ended on the 22nd of June 2022.
Button / Coin Cell - What are they and what is the risk?
Button cells are generally alkaline 1.5V batteries. Coin Cells are generally lithium and higher voltage. If ingested, the battery can cause injury as it reacts with body. Generally Lithium batteries are more likely to create greater harm or even death.
What is a captive screw?
A Captive screw means that the screw is always attached to the cover, even after unscrewing. It is usually held in by a small washer.
What and are the various type of button cell compartments?
Battery compartment accessible by captive screws.
Battery compartment accessible by non captive screws.
Battery compartment not accessible and battery non replaceable .
What type of button cell compartments are compliant with the Mandatory Standard?
Battery compartment accessible by captive screws.
Battery compartment not accessible and battery non replaceable .
What type of button cell compartments are NOT compliant with the Mandatory Standard?
Battery compartment is accessible without non captive screws .
What are the labelling requirements?
Battery compartment accessible by captive screws:
· A warning symbol must be displayed on the front of the product packaging.
· The symbol and more detailed information on the hazard must be included in the instructions.
Battery compartment not accessible and battery non replaceable
· The warning symbol and more detailed information on the hazard must be included on the packaging.
What steps have been taken to support the standard?
All suppliers are aware of the Mandatory Standard
Staff trained in what to look for at store level in case non compliant stock is sent to stores.
Staff Training – refresh staff who have been trained and for new employees.
At time of sale of a Button Cell/ Coin item, a prompt appears on the terminal to prompt staff member to check for intact warning label. Do not sell item if warning label is not intact.
If a Button Cell/ Coin item battery prompt does not appear at time of sale, please send message to our product Manager advising the 7 digit code and item details.
Having Button Cell/ Coin Cell information available on our website.
Signage to advise customers to not remove products from packaging or tags.
Staff to regularly check Button Cell/ Coin items on shelf that all have intact labels. Especially items with swing tags or supplied in plastic bags
Be mindful that an item is missing a scannable barcode that the warning label needs to be checked
#1 is Adopting a NO WARNING LABEL – NO SALE policy
What do you do if at time of sale, a customer presents a Button / Coin Cell that is not in it’s packaging or is missing the warning label?
You may attach a Full warning label to the front of the item prior to sale or
Return the item to Rework Branch 115 for rework or disposal.
NO WARNING LABEL – NO SALE
Now take the Quiz!