What is UL4200A required by Amazon?

Recently, a large number of sellers received compliance requests from Amazon, primarily those selling products containing button cell batteries. According to Amazon's requirements, products with button cell batteries need to submit relevant documentation; otherwise, their listings will be removed.

The compliance requests are based on a new Amazon regulation. Amazon has recently introduced new requirements for consumer products with button cell batteries, which are effective immediately.

The new requirements specify that sellers selling products with button cell batteries must provide the following documents to ensure compliance:

1. A test report conforming to UL4200A issued by an ISO17025 accredited laboratory.

2. A general certificate of conformity that complies with UL4200A.

So, what exactly is UL4200A?

Introduction to UL4200A Certification

The UL4200A test report is a safety testing report for consumer products that contain button or coin batteries. It mainly assesses product safety based on the UL4200A standard, which focuses on the safety of removable battery products, particularly the proper placement of the battery to reduce the risk of ingestion by children.

The report will detail the product's compliance with the UL4200A standard, including the structure of the product, the battery fixation method, abuse testing, and other aspects. When a product has "batteries that users are allowed to remove or replace," the report will check if the battery is easily accessible, and whether the battery compartment cover or door is securely fixed. Additionally, the report will include the results of abuse testing, such as whether the battery compartment cover or door remains functional during simulated drops.

Scope of UL4200A Certification

The UL4200A certification scope mainly covers household products that contain or may use lithium technology button or coin cells. Specifically, the requirements apply to consumer products with lithium button or coin batteries, typically with a diameter of 32mm or less and a diameter larger than the height. It is important to note that these requirements do not apply to products that use batteries other than lithium button or coin batteries, nor to products intended for use in areas where children are not likely to have access.

UL4200A Certification Documentation

The materials required for applying for UL4200A certification mainly include detailed technical specifications of the product, design drawings, user manuals, and other relevant documents to ensure compliance with UL4200A standards. Additionally, button cell samples need to be provided for testing and evaluation. The specific documents required may include:

- Product Specification: Detailed listing of product specifications, such as size, weight, battery type, etc., to allow the certification agency to conduct a comprehensive assessment.

- Design Drawings: Provide structural diagrams, circuit diagrams, etc., to showcase the product's design and manufacturing process, ensuring that it meets UL4200A standards.

- User Manual: Provide instructions and guidelines to ensure the user can correctly and safely use the product.

- Battery Samples: Submit button battery samples for laboratory testing.

Additionally, depending on the product's specific situation, other relevant materials, such as a chemical composition sheet, production process flow, and quality management system documents, may also be required. These documents will be used to assess whether the product's safety, structural design, battery compartment protection, packaging requirements, and performance testing meet UL4200A standards.

UL4200A Testing Process

1. Select a Certification Agency: First, choose a qualified and experienced certification agency capable of providing UL certification services.

2. Application Submission: Submit the UL report application to the selected certification agency. Necessary application documents, such as the battery specification, structural diagrams, chemical composition sheet, etc., may need to be submitted.

3. Document Preparation: According to UL4200A standards, companies must prepare the relevant certification documents. These documents should clearly show the product's technical specifications, design drawings, user manuals, etc., ensuring all information complies with UL4200A standards.

4. Product Testing: Send the button battery samples to the certification agency's laboratory. Engineers will conduct detailed tests to verify compliance with UL4200A standards.

5. Report Compilation: Based on the testing data, engineers will compile a detailed test report. This report will comprehensively record the product's test results and evaluation.

6. Submission for Review: The certification agency will review the engineer's report to ensure its accuracy and completeness.

7. Certificate Issuance: If the report passes the review, the certification agency will officially issue the UL4200A certificate. This means the product has successfully passed UL4200A certification and can be sold on the market.

Additionally, after obtaining the UL4200A certification, the applicant must submit an annual audit report to maintain the certification's validity. The certification agency will also conduct regular inspections of certified products to ensure they continue to comply with UL4200A standards. Note that if only the UL4200A report is required, steps 6 and 7 are not necessary, and the laboratory will provide the report after testing.

UL4200A Testing Time

The testing cycle for UL4200A test reports is approximately 5-7 days.

UL4200A Testing Fees

The UL4200A testing fee at the JJR Laboratory in China is $698. If you have multiple products to test for UL certification, there may be discounts. Chinese laboratories can help you save up to 30% on certification testing costs.