Hazard type

Choking
Infection
Internal injury
Poisoning by ingestion

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Products the mandatory standards apply to

Button and coin batteries are flat, round single cell batteries, with a diameter greater than the battery’s height. They are typically up to 32 mm diameter, and range in height from one to 11 mm.

Button and coin batteries generally operate using one of 4 chemistries: lithium, alkaline, silver oxide and zinc-air.

Lithium batteries pose the highest risk. They are usually larger, which means that they are more likely to become stuck in a child’s throat. Their higher voltage means they can cause tissue damage more quickly.

Three button batteries on white background
Car key fob opened to show button battery
A button battery being placed in the back of a watch

Products the mandatory standards do not apply to

The standards don’t apply to these kinds of button and coin batteries:

  • supplied in bulk to trades, professions or industries which are not intended for sale to the public
  • zinc-air batteries for hearing aids, which only need to follow the information standard and not the safety standard.

The standards don’t apply to these products containing button and coin batteries:

  • professional equipment where all the following apply:
    • it will be used in trades, professions or industries
    • it will not be sold to the public
    • it will not be used where children are present
  • audio-visual and information and communications technology equipment containing button and coin batteries that are soldered in place
  • hearing aids only need to follow the information standard and not the safety standard
  • re-supply of consumer goods in a one-off transaction by a consumer such as a private sale to another consumer.

The mandatory safety and information standards

These are the 4 mandatory safety and information standards:

The standards explain:

  • how products and their packaging should be designed
  • the warnings and safety information that must be included.

These standards apply to:

  • button and coin batteries
  • consumer goods and their accessories that use, are powered by, or operate with button and coin batteries.

If you’re not sure of your product’s classification as a consumer good, you should assume it falls under these standards unless you have different legal advice.

These safety and information standards include new and second-hand goods sold to consumers.

What is not included in the standards

The standards don’t cover in-store displays. However, we recommend that button batteries or products containing button batteries are high enough to be out of reach of children.

The standards don’t define any requirements for disposing of or recycling batteries. However, the standards recommend that you provide information about how consumers can safely dispose of batteries.

Supplier responsibilities

You are considered a supplier if you manufacture, import, distribute or retail button and coin batteries or consumer goods containing button and coin batteries within Australia or for the Australian market.

If you supply consumer products in Australia at any stage in the supply chain you are legally responsible for product safety. In addition to complying with mandatory standards, find out more about sourcing and testing products.

See also