Reese’s Law: 16 CFR Part 1263 which incorporates ANSI/UL 4200A-2023.
Reese's Law is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at improving the safety of button cell and coin batteries. Named after Reese Hamsmith, a young child who tragically died after swallowing a button cell battery, this law was enacted to protect children from the dangers of these batteries that are widely used in so many products. This law applies to all consumer products containing these batteries and addresses both battery accessibility and labeling requirements.
16 CFR Part 1263 was signed into law in 2022 and incorporates ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 to establish labeling requirements for products that contain Button Cell and Coin Batteries mandated by Reese’s Law.
Products containing or designed to use button cell or coin batteries have to comply to the following:
- Battery compartments with replaceable button or coin cells must be secured so that opening them requires a tool or at least two independent hand movements.
- Button cell or coin battery compartments must prevent batteries from being accessed or released during use & abuse testing.
- Warnings must be on the following:
- Overall product packaging.
- The product, if practicable.
- Instructions and manuals must include applicable warnings.
AM Testing & Services can help you understand the new requirements and test your product for compliance!