ACCC introduces safety standard for button battery in Australia

The Australian Competition and Consumer Council ACCC launched the mandatory standard consumer goods (products with button batteries) safety standard 2020 on December 21, 2020 to reduce the risk of death and injury caused by children using button batteries. The standard transition period is 18 months and will be enforced on June 22, 2022.

These standards apply to button batteries and products containing button batteries.

These standards do not apply to the following types of batteries:

1. Zinc air battery for hearing aid;

2. Button batteries supplied in bulk to industry, specialty or industry and not intended to be sold to the public.

These standards do not apply to the following products containing button / coin batteries:

1. Hearing aids;

2. Consumer goods first provided to consumers before the mandatory requirements take effect;

3. Professional equipment meeting all the following conditions:

▪  The equipment is intended for industrial, professional or industrial use;

▪  The equipment is not intended to be sold to the public;

▪  This device is not used where children can reach;

▪  Audio visual, information and communication technology equipment, including welded button batteries.