The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (FoC) evaluates coin batteries and button cells in compliance with the UL 4200A safety standard.
What are Coin batteries and Button Cells?
Coin batteries and button cells are small, dime- or button-shaped batteries consisting of a single electrochemical cell. Although people often use the terms “coin batteries” and “button cells” interchangeably, there are distinct differences between them. The most obvious difference is that coin batteries do contain lithium, whereas button batteries do not. Coin batteries are also typically larger than their button battery counterparts, making them more hazardous when accidentally ingested by children. However, button batteries pose their own unique risks because they’re small enough for children to fit them into their ears or noses, which can lead to other serious hazards.
What is Reese’s Law?
In 2022, the United States Congress passed Reese’s Law, establishing new performance, labeling, and packaging requirements for button cells, coin batteries, and consumer products that contain them.
Performance Requirements
To ensure the security of the battery compartment, manufacturers must design their products in one of the following ways:
- The battery compartment can only be opened using a screwdriver or similar tool.
- The battery compartment can only be opened if the user performs two independent and concurrent actions by hand.
Products must also pass a series of abuse tests, including, but not limited to, drop, crush, and heat tests.
Labeling Requirements
Products must feature prominent warning labels that are permanent and easily discernable. The product’s accompanying instructions and manuals must also feature warning labels.
Packaging Requirements
Products must have child-resistant packaging.
About Our UL 4200A-Compliant Battery Testing Services
The ATS FoC’s state-of-the-art battery testing laboratory is operated by informed and passionate technicians who work diligently to ensure that batteries meet safety and performance standards. Our accreditation enables us to evaluate batteries in accordance with global standards, and our staff’s expertise allow us to ensure that our services are comprehensive, efficient, and reliable. We are a CPSC-accredited lab capable of helping our clients comply with the requirements outlined in the UL 4200A, the mandatory safety standards that enforce the requirements stated in Reese’s Law.
Contact Us
For further information regarding our UL 4200A tests and many other battery testing services, please call +1 (888) 287-5227 or complete this web request form located on this page.
