Button battery US Amazon Requirements

U.S. CPSC Releases Mandatory Standard for Button Battery Products - 16 CFR 1263/ANSI/UL 4200 A Standard

On September 21, 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the final regulation 16 CFR 1263. This regulation specifies safety requirements for button batteries or coin cell batteries and consumer products containing such batteries. The new regulation references the voluntary standard ANSI/UL 4200A-2023, "Products Incorporating Button Batteries or Coin Cell Batteries," as the mandatory safety standard for consumer products containing these batteries.

Key Points:

1. All products containing button batteries must meet the UL 4200A standard to be exported to the United States.

2. The standard applies to all products containing button batteries, regardless of whether the batteries are replaceable or rechargeable.

3. The UL 4200A standard sets systematic requirements for products containing button batteries, covering aspects such as structure, testing, warning labels (on the product body and packaging), and instructions.

Recently, many customers have inquired about listing products containing button batteries on Amazon U.S. Products containing button batteries must be tested according to the 16 CFR 1263 and UL 4200A standards. Recently, many products have been delisted, with customers mistakenly believing that completing UL 4200A + GCC certification alone is sufficient. However, the standard has changed, and products must be tested in conjunction with 16 CFR 1263 and UL 4200A to pass Amazon’s requirements. Without proper label evaluation, products will not pass Amazon's standards. Many laboratories have not yet adopted this standard, so it is advised not to take a trial-and-error approach, which could lead to significant losses. It is recommended to complete both standards, including 16 CFR 1263 + UL 4200A + GCC certification.

16 CFR 1263 takes effect on October 23, 2023. However, to allow for the current limited testing capabilities and to avoid difficulties, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has granted a 180-day enforcement discretion transition period from September 21, 2023, to March 19, 2024.

If you want to list products on Amazon, you must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, standards, and corresponding policies related to those products and product information.

For end products with user-removable or replaceable batteries, the structure must meet the following requirements:

1. The battery must not be accessible with the IEC 61032 test probe 11.

   - During the evaluation, the outer case must not be openable without tools or with less than two separate and continuous manual actions.

2. The product must be designed to prevent children from moving the battery:

   - The battery compartment should only be openable with a tool (e.g., screwdriver, coin) and requires a torque of at least 0.5 Nm and a minimum rotation angle of 90 degrees.

   - Alternatively, the fasteners should engage at least two full threads.

   - Or, opening the battery compartment cover or door by hand should require at least two separate and continuous actions.

3. If the battery compartment cover or door is secured by screws or similar fasteners, the fasteners must be retained in the cover or door, such as with captive screws.

For products with batteries that cannot be removed or replaced by the user, effective measures must be taken to prevent users or children from removing the battery. The product design should meet the following requirements:

- The battery must be inaccessible through the casing or similar means.

- Alternatively, the battery must be fully secured through welding, riveting, or similar methods.

U.S. Button Battery UL 4200A Test Items:

1. Pre-treatment; drop test; impact test

2. Crush test; torque test; pull test; compression test

3. Installation firmness test (for batteries that cannot be moved or replaced by the user)