Reeses Law

What is Reese’s Law?

The ingestion of small, coin or button cell batteries poses a significant danger to young children and has tragically led to fatal incidents. Recognizing this threat, Reese's Law was enacted in August 2022, with key provisions set to take effect starting in March 2024. This legislation aims to enhance child safety by imposing stringent requirements, primarily focusing on making these batteries harder to access.

Who is affected by this?

Coin cell batteries manufactured in or after March 19, 2024 and products containing coin cell batteries.

What does the supplier of coin cell batteries need to ensure?

Child-resistant packaging requirements: Manufacturers and importers are required to adhere to child-resistant packaging standards for button cell or coin batteries.
Compliance with UL 4200A-2023 Standards: Products containing or designed to use button cell or coin batteries must comply with UL 4200A-2023 performance standards, labeling requirements, and certification. This mandate, effective after the CPSC's enforcement discretion date of March 19, 2024, necessitates CPSC-accepted third-party testing for certification, particularly for children's products.
Labeling Requirements: Starting September 21, 2024, packages containing button cell or coin batteries must adhere to specific labeling requirements outlined in 16 CFR part 1263.

Changes to Smarter Sorting's Product Intelligence Platform:

Smarter Sorting is enhancing its registration process to accommodate the upload of necessary compliance certificates, such as the Children's Product Certificate (CPC) or General Certificate of Conformity (GCC), for products containing coin or button cell batteries made after March 19, 2024.
If your product was made prior to this date you will need to provide an exemption reason in the platform.

FAQs:

My battery was made December 2023, do I need do do anything?

No! Only batteries made March 19, 2024 and onwards need to provide certifications for Reese’s law. Supplier’s with batteries made prior to that date will need to fill in an exemption reason stating “product manufactured before 3/19/24”. Your retailer may be reviewing this input.

I don’t have those certifications

This is a needed document, your retailer may choose not to carry products not compliant with this law / may contact suppliers for clarification based on the exemption reason filled out during registration. Please work with your battery manufacturer to provide these certifications.

I don’t see anything on my classification that shows Reese’s law?

We only ask for confirmation that you are following the law, we do not add this into our classification information. It does show in the ‘component details’ section when reviewing the product.

My battery is secured in the unit, do I still need this?

Yes, Reese's Law applies to products containing button cell or coin batteries, regardless of whether the batteries are removable by the consumer. The law focuses on preventing ingestion hazards, which can still occur if the product is damaged or if the battery compartment is not sufficiently secure. Battery compartments must be secure. Even if the batteries are sealed, the product must still meet performance standards, including ensuring that batteries cannot be accessed under foreseeable use or misuse conditions. Products must pass certain tests that simulate possible damage or wear over time

My item is not intended for children, do I need this?

Yes, under Reese's Law, the requirements for button cell and coin battery safety documentation apply regardless of the product's intended audience. The law mandates compliance for all products that utilize button cell or coin batteries, as these batteries pose potential ingestion hazards to all individuals, including children.

If you have additional questions, please contact support.

Still stuck? Contact support or email support@smartersorting.com Either way it lands straight in our ticket queue.