A set of safety standards relating to the use of Button batteries introduced by the Australian Government was mandated in Australia from June 2022. This introduction of legislation has now been echoed in a number of countries. The size and shape of these batteries make it easy for them to become lodged in a child’s airway when swallowed. If leakage is present, tissue damage to major organs can occur; and they can also emit a voltage if placed in an orifice such as the ear or nose.
The Australian Consumer Goods (Products containing button/ coin batteries) Safety Standard Safety Standard 2020 has mandated that any button or coin batteries are sold with adequate warning labels to alert consumers and educate the public; and also prescribe laboratory tests to ensure that with reasonable use or abuse of items containing the batteries, the battery remains inaccessible.
