New button battery laws (Australia)

[vk3yedotcom]

Report:

https://7news.com.au/news/public-health/new-button-battery-laws-set-to-come-into-place-after-melbourne-mums-campaign-c-7228766

[ataradov]

I think in the US secure battery compartments on toys are already a requirement. And most of the cheap Chinese stuff actually follows that from I can tell.

I'm not sure why this article focuses on the button batteries. Are other batteries fine without securing them?

[sleemanj]

I'm not sure why this article focuses on the button batteries. Are other batteries fine without securing them?

Button batteries are more easily swallowed (or shoved up nostrils or in ears), and their design, having a fully exposed anode and cathode smack bang next to each other, means that saliva and assorted bodily juices can cause internal burns due to shorting them out.

[jeremy]

Some more detailed information: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/product-safety-laws/safety-standards-bans/mandatory-standards/button-and-coin-batteries#consumer-goods-products-containing-button-coin-batteries-safety-standard

[jeremy]

I think the important thing to note here is that it doesn't make any reference to toys - it is basically either consumer products or not. Note sure how this will go for things like computer motherboards. There is also an exemption for soldered down batteries.

Edit: also, there is not a lot of information in the legislation other than referencing standard XYZ which you need SAI global for 

[sleemanj]

I think the important thing to note here is that it doesn't make any reference to toys - it is basically either consumer products or not.

Kids young enough to swallow a battery care not where the battery came from,  be it a toy, a torch, a remote, or any number of things that could conceivably get into thier destructive little mitts.

[ataradov]

The only thing I don't like about this is the need for compliance testing. I expect this to be a typical racket by testing labs. I would say a common sense and self certification at the risk of being fined if the product is independently tested and does not pass should be sufficient. 

[Daixiwen]

You can probably subcontract the compliance testing to kindergartens. See how many babies manage to swallow the batteries after a given time.

[mairo]

I wonder if the maker type boards that have such batteries will require to meet certification. One example is the coin cell battery add on board for BBC microbit - these boards are widely used by school kids which although old enough, may have toddler siblings. The parents should make sure it is safe for theirs kids, but what about the manufacturers in this case since the products are also advertised in the STEM education among school kids.

[Halcyon]

I think the important thing to note here is that it doesn't make any reference to toys - it is basically either consumer products or not. Note sure how this will go for things like computer motherboards. There is also an exemption for soldered down batteries.

I think motherboards etc... already comply with the legislation, pursuant to the fact computers (generally) contain a button cell which doesn't "release" (from the product) during "reasonably foreseeable use and misuse conditions" and that the compartment (i.e. the chassis of the product itself) is already "resistant" to being opened by children.

For those interested in reading the actual legislation (it's only short): https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2022C00445

The main target are consumer products such as toys, remote controls, lights, electronic greeting cards etc... Those sorts of things. I'd also suggest that a computer motherboard is not classed as a "consumer good" as it's generally not purchased by regular consumers. Generally speaking, those who would buy computer components are industry professionals or end-users with some kind of specialised knowledge on how to install and use them.

[tom66]

Is this the reason there are so many products out there which have a clip to hold the battery door on, but then add a screw somewhere else?  I had always assumed it was more of an engineering 'cock-up', they weren't sure they'd get the plastic clip right first so want the screw just in case (and you can delete an addition to a tool easily enough.) 

[ataradov]

Is this the reason there are so many products out there which have a clip to hold the battery door on, but then add a screw somewhere else?

Yes. This is the requirement in the US.

[Zero999]

How about childproof battery packaging? I think that would make just as much of a difference.

[Benta]

How about childproof battery packaging? I think that would make just as much of a difference.

Been there for years. Just try opening one of those#¤%& blister packs.

[Zero999]

How about childproof battery packaging? I think that would make just as much of a difference.

Been there for years. Just try opening one of those#¤%& blister packs.

Yes, they can often be difficult to open, but the reverse can also be true: I have a multipack of button cells, in which the glue has failed and they've fallen out.

[tom66]

It doesn't seem to apply to the UK, every pack of button cells I've got is a simple cardboard and plastic tray arrangement, which is trivially opened.

[ataradov]

It is not trivial to small kids. This is enough of protection. If you have dexterity and persistence to open those packs, you are old enough to not eat batteries.

[Halcyon]

It is not trivial to small kids. This is enough of protection. If you have dexterity and persistence to open those packs, you are old enough to not eat batteries.

You're making some pretty wild assumptions. Some adults are pretty fucking stupid too.

[Kerlin]

I think the important thing to note here is that it doesn't make any reference to toys - it is basically either consumer products or not. Note sure how this will go for things like computer motherboards. There is also an exemption for soldered down batteries.

Edit: also, there is not a lot of information in the legislation other than referencing standard XYZ which you need SAI global for 

This unfortunately is the normal case here, you cant get a copy of the standard without contributing.
That doesn't help and who does it benefit?

[SiliconWizard]

It is not trivial to small kids. This is enough of protection. If you have dexterity and persistence to open those packs, you are old enough to not eat batteries.

You're making some pretty wild assumptions. Some adults are pretty fucking stupid too.

But the law is about child protection as far as I can tell.

If *you* are assuming that adults can be as dumb as children, then uh sure, that can be occasionally the case for some people, but from a legal standpoint, adults who act as children and can't be held responsible of what they do should usually be considered vulnerable adults and taken care of properly.

Writing laws to protect chidren and targetting adults in disguise, that would be pretty fucked up.

Not that I'm really sure what you were exactly on about though.

[Monkeh]

I'm pretty sure that other countries indeed have secure battery compartments, awkward to open packaging, and warning labels. Nothing new, merely a little slow on the uptake..

[Halcyon]

It is not trivial to small kids. This is enough of protection. If you have dexterity and persistence to open those packs, you are old enough to not eat batteries.

You're making some pretty wild assumptions. Some adults are pretty fucking stupid too.

Not that I'm really sure what you were exactly on about though.

I was making a joke... kind of....

[Muttley Snickers]

Not sure if it is part of the new requirements but I just got back from the local Coles supermarket and all of the button cells have been removed from display. I asked a staff member about it and he said they had all been removed and returned to their supplier due to being faulty. I don't think he had any idea and just made up a story as they had a number of different brands on display as can be seen in a picture I posted in a previous thread.

[james_s]

This kind of thing drives me nuts. Actually the thing I hate is when a battery compartment has only a screw to hold it closed, at least when it has a conventional catch alongside the screw I can discard the screw and go on about my business. If there is only a screw I end up either taping it or I have to go dig out a screwdriver whenever I need to mess with it. I think most child-proofing attempts utterly fail. From the time I was maybe 3 or 4 years old I remember opening the child proof stuff for my grandparents. My small nimble hands had no trouble figuring out the tricks that thwarted arthritic seniors. I have no children and I don't want my own life made more difficult because someone else can't be bothered to keep things away from their kids.

[Monkeh]

I figured it was only a matter of time before james_s turned up to complain that his life is unduly hard again.

Personally I prefer screws. Screwed on battery covers stay there, rather than working their way to being loose after a while and promptly falling off. But I also don't bury my screwdrivers under concrete or need to constantly 'mess' with battery powered devices.