Button battery safety - Costs for suppliers of button and coin cell batteries (sold separately)

Overview

On 19 March 2020 the ACCC issued a consultation paper that outlined regulatory options to address button battery safety. Stakeholder feedback indicated that the proposed regulatory options would result in significant costs for industry.

In response to stakeholder feedback, the ACCC has modified certain proposed requirements, including those that relate to child-resistant packaging and warnings proposals for button and coin cell batteries (Options 2 and 3 from the consultation paper). Further, the ACCC intends to recommend a 24 month transition period for child-resistant packaging requirements and 12 months for warning requirements.

This survey seeks information from suppliers of button and coin cell batteries (sold separately) about costs associated with implementing a revised set of requirements to address button battery safety. The modifications to the proposed requirements set out in the consultation paper are briefly outlined below.

Child-resistant packaging

The ACCC’s consultation paper (Option 2) proposed a child-resistant packaging requirement for all button batteries irrespective of size or chemistry.

The ACCC is now considering an adjustment to the scope of the Option 2 proposal such that child-resistant packaging would not be required for non-lithium button batteries with a diameter less than 16 mm. The proposed child-resistant packaging requirement would apply to all lithium coin cell batteries (irrespective of diameter size) and non-lithium button batteries with a diameter of 16 mm or greater. These adjustments would minimise deviation from international standards.

We are now seeking information from industry about costs associated with a child-resistant packaging requirement that would apply to:

• lithium button batteries (of all diameter sizes)
• non-lithium button batteries (16 mm and above in diameter).

Warning requirement

The ACCC’s consultation paper (Option 3) proposed specific warning symbols and text, including the Australian Poisons Information Centre hotline to be required on button battery packaging.

We are now seeking information on the costs associated with:

• a warning content requirement that allows the use of an internationally recognised warning symbol and text that directs consumers to seek medical attention immediately in the case they suspect that a button battery might have been swallowed or placed inside any part of the body (Australian Poisons Information Centre contact information not required)
• a warning location requirement that requires warnings on the front panel of the packaging of button batteries.

Transition period

The ACCC now proposes the following transition periods would apply from the date a mandatory standard commences to allow for implementation of the requirements:

• Child-resistant packaging requirements: 24 months
• Warning requirements: 12 months.

We would like to obtain specific information about the likely costs to your business in relation to the introduction of these modified proposals.

Who should complete this survey

This survey is intended for manufacturers and suppliers of button or coin cell batteries sold separately, and for industry associations that represent such firms.

A separate survey for suppliers and manufacturers of consumer goods that use/contain button or coin cell batteries has been circulated.

If this is also relevant to you, please complete the Costs for suppliers of consumer goods that use/contain button or coin cell batteries survey.

These surveys will remain open until 26 August 2020.

Confidentiality

Your survey response will be treated as confidential and will not be attributed to you publicly. The ACCC is committed to treating confidential information responsibly and in accordance with the law. For further information on the ACCC’s treatment of confidential information, please refer to the ACCC/AER Information Policy publication.