Australia is introducing new button battery safety standards, which come into effect on June 22.
The ACCC has issued a three-month warning to businesses who supply button batteries, or products that are powered by them, to ensure they are complying with the standards. The body is also calling on consumers to check for unsafe batteries in their homes.
Under the new laws, products “must have secure battery compartments to prevent children from gaining access to the batteries. Manufacturers must undertake compliance testing, supply batteries in child-resistant packaging, and place additional warnings and emergency advice on packaging and instructions.”
Three children have died, and 44 have been seriously injured in Australia from incidents involving button batteries.
“These world-first mandatory standards for button batteries are an important step in helping to prevent injuries to children. Time is running out for manufacturers and suppliers to ensure their products are compliant,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
“Once the standards become mandatory the ACCC will focus on enforcement action.
The standards were introduced in December 2020, with the 18-month transition period set to expire in June.
“We are pleased that some suppliers have acted early by conducting recalls to remove unsafe products containing button batteries from the market,” Rickard said.
“Button batteries are found in a large number of common household items such as toys, remote controls, watches, digital kitchen scales and thermometers.
“If swallowed they can cause serious injuries to children, and we encourage consumers to check the list of recalled products on the Product Safety website.”
“The compartment holding the button battery needs to be secure and child resistant, and if it isn’t, parents or carers should stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach from children.”
