Consumer Goods (Products Containing Button/Coin Batteries) Information Standard

This mandatory standard defines safety warnings and information for consumer goods that contain button/coin batteries, including storage cases and organisers.

It also applies to accessories of consumer goods, such as remote controls, that contain button/coin batteries.

It defines:

  • which warnings are required, and where the warnings should appear
  • best practice recommendations about other information that should be included.

Warnings are necessary for these products. Consumers need to know about the risks that button/coin batteries can pose, and what to do if they suspect that someone has swallowed or inserted a battery.

This mandatory standard refers to national and international industry standards, which are available from SAI Global, the International Organization for Standardization, and Standards Australia.

It's one of four mandatory standards that apply to button/coin batteries and goods that contain them.

Summary of requirements

Markings and warnings

The information standard requires that you must include warnings:

  • in the instructions, if they accompany the goods
  • on the package, if the goods are packaged
  • attached to the goods themselves, if the goods aren’t packaged.

The warnings must be clearly visible, prominent, and legible.

The warning information required in accompanying instructions can be provided in any format, such as:

  • on the packaging
  • in an accompanying leaflet
  • on a sticker or hang-tag attached to the product
  • on the product itself.

Some kinds of consumer goods that contain button/coin batteries pose a lower risk in terms of battery accessibility. For these kinds of goods, there are more flexible warning requirements that require, at a minimum, that warnings are provided in accompanying instructions.

This information standard also provides a range of best practice recommendations, which we encourage you to use to further reduce the risk of injury to children.

Warning and alert symbols

This information standard includes the following example of an internationally recognised safety alert symbol that can be included in warnings (not to scale):

The internationally recognised alert symbol of a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark, stacked above an image of a battery.

You can also use the warning symbol with text that explains the warning.

The internationally recognisable alert symbol: a yellow triangle with a thick black border, and an exclamation mark inside.  Warning: Contains button or coin cell battery. Hazardous if swallowed – see instructions

Warning symbols don’t have to be provided in colour. However, using colour in safety signs is considered best practice. It helps draw attention to the message.

For more advice about alert symbols, refer to the voluntary industry standard ISO 3864-2:2016 Graphical symbols—Safety colours and safety signs—Part 2: Design principles for product safety labels.

Exemptions

This mandatory standard does not apply to:

  • consumer goods that were first supplied to a consumer before the requirements became mandatory
  • professional equipment where all of the following apply:
    • the equipment is intended to be used in trades, professions or industries
    • the equipment is not intended for sale to the general public
    • the equipment is not intended to be used where children are present
  • audio-visual and information and communications technology equipment containing button/coin batteries that are soldered in place.

Read the standard

You can read, download, or purchase a print copy of this standard at the Federal Register of Legislation website.

Consumer Goods (Products Containing Button/Coin Batteries) Information Standard 2020

Related standards

There are four mandatory standards that apply to button/coin batteries and goods that contain them.

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