§2056e Consumer product safety standard for button cell or coin batteries and consumer products containing such batteries

Summary

Create a final safety standard for button cell (coin) batteries and products that use them no later than 1 year after August 16, 2022. The standard must do two things: require battery compartments to be secured so they eliminate or greatly reduce the chance that children 6 years of age or younger could swallow a battery during normal use or reasonable misuse, and require warning labels. Labels must appear on battery packaging and product packaging, in any user manuals, and on the product itself when practical (visible when a battery is installed or replaced, or when the battery compartment is opened; if it is impractical to put a label on the product, the label goes on the packaging or instructions). The warnings must clearly say swallowing a battery is dangerous, tell people to keep new and used batteries away from children, tell people to seek immediate medical attention if a battery is swallowed, and follow any consensus medical advice. The standard will be treated as an official consumer product safety rule. If a voluntary industry standard already meets these requirements and is in effect or will be in effect no later than 180 days after August 16, 2022, the Commission can accept that voluntary standard instead and must publish its decision in the Federal Register. If a voluntary standard is later revised, the standards group must notify the Commission; generally the revised voluntary standard becomes the official rule 180 days after notice unless the Commission objects within 90 days. The Commission can also start rulemaking later to change any adopted requirements.