BIPBA has worked alongside industry stakeholders such as CAPT, British Retail Consortium and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident to develop Publicly Available Standard 7055:2021 which looks to address the safety issues that can be posed by button and coin batteries, and to provide a consistent approach for products that contain these batteries.
BIPBA was instrumental in the design of the PAS document which outlines requirements for battery manufacturers and the manufacturers of products containing batteries. These requirements including the placing of warnings on batteries, battery packaging and on products that contain these batteries, and testing requirements for products containing button and coin batteries.
PAS 7055:2021 can be downloaded in full here.
PAS 7055:2021 – Summary
Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 7055 aims to address safety issues posed by button (non-lithium) and coin (lithium) batteries, and to provide a consistent approach for products that contain these batteries. The PAS sets out required warnings on batteries, battery packaging and on products that contain these batteries. It sets out requirements for manufacturers of batteries, manufacturers of consumer products containing such batteries and distributors. The PAS does not cover batteries for professional and industrial use or zinc air batteries.
The main PAS requirements for manufacturers of batteries are summarised below:
In the PAS, a button battery is defined as a ‘small round battery where the overall height is less than the diameter and having an electrochemical system that does not contain lithium’ (Source: BS EN IEC 62115:2020+A11:2020, 3.6.3)
A coin battery is defined as a ‘small round battery where the overall height is less than the diameter and having an electrochemical system that does contain lithium’ (Source: BS EN IEC 62115:2020+A11:2020, 3.6.4).
For the purposes of the PAS, where the term battery is used it includes button and coin battery.
Child-resistant packaging for batteries
The packaging for lithium coin batteries (regardless of size) and button batteries greater or equal to 16 mm in diameter shall conform to, as applicable to at least one of the following standards:
- AS 5808-2009;
- BS EN IEC 60086-4:2019;
- BS EN ISO 8317:2015;
- BS EN 862; and
- USA:16 CFR §1700.15
Packaging design for button batteries < 16 mm should also be assessed against these requirements and ease of opening and the associated packaging design should be assessed for elderly people and other consumers in accordance with BS EN ISO 17480.
Figure 1 – Warning against swallowing lithium coin batteries
If colour is not possible for the sign, black and white can be used
Figure 2 – Warning against swallowing button batteries
If colour is not possible for the sign, then black and white can be used
- “BATTERY WARNING: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN”
- “If you think batteries might have been swallowed or placed inside any part of the body, seek immediate medical attention”
The warnings on the packaging shall be permanent legible and indelible. They shall not be distorted when a battery is removed, e.g. with a multipack of batteries.
Figure 3 – Safety signs for use on batteries
Safety signs are specified for batteries with a 20 mm or greater diameter, as it is not possible to include on smaller batteries. If this does become a feasible option, it should be assessed for all battery sizes. Engraving, etching, embossing or stamping can also be used.
- the safety sign shall be on a contrasting background, which covers at least 50% of the area of the pictogram;
- the diameter of the safety sign shall be 6 mm or larger
- the text “BATTERY WARNING: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN” shall contrast with the background colour on which it is printed.
The PAS can be found in fullhere. Interested parties should ensure they read the full standard and not solely rely on this summary.
The industry takes battery safety seriously. BIPBA continues to raise awareness of the issues associated with children accidentally swallowing these types of batteries through a variety of awareness raising programmes.
Button and coin cell batteries pose a potential risk if swallowed by a child. In partnership, BIPBA and CAPT have created a number of resources which aim to inform parents and clinicians about the potential risks of these batteries, and how to minimise the chances of accidents occurring in the home.
Button batteries are small, round, silver-coloured batteries that come in many different sizes and types. They power many of devices from remote controls, key fobs, watches to toys. Most button batteries pass through the body without a problem, however in very young children they can pose a risk if ingested.
Lithium button batteries (often called ‘coin batteries’ or ‘coin cell batteries’) are more powerful than button batteries and are also bigger in size. The larger lithium coin cell battery – for example a 3V CR2025, CR2032, CR2330 or CR3032 – pose the greater risk to young children.
If a lithium coin cell battery gets stuck in the oesophagus, energy from the battery reacts with saliva to create caustic soda. This can burn through a child’s food pipe, to the main artery and may lead to serious internal burns, which can result in chronic health problems or death unless there is rapid medical intervention.
Such situations require urgent medical attention to immediately remove the battery.
For further information, please visit the resources page, visit CAPT’s button battery hub and the portable battery industry’s battery safety website which contain a wide range of resources and advice.
Battery manufacturers are continuously investigating new battery designs to find a long-term solution.
- Take children straight to the A&E department at your local hospital or dial 999 for an ambulance.
- Tell the doctor there that you think your child has swallowed a button battery.
- If you have the battery packaging or the product powered by the battery, take it with you. This will help the doctor identify the type of battery and make treatment easier.
- Do not let your child eat or drink.
- Do not make them sick.
- Trust your instincts and act fast – do not wait to see if any symptoms develop.
No obvious symptoms
Unfortunately, it is not obvious when a button or coin cell battery is stuck in a child’s food pipe. There are no specific symptoms
associated with this. The child may:
- Vomit fresh (bright red) blood.
- cough, gag or drool a lot
- appear to have a stomach upset or a virus
- point to their throat or tummy
- have a pain in their stomach, chest or throat
- be tired or lethargic
- be quieter or more clingy than usual or otherwise ‘not themselves’
- lose their appetite or have a reduced appetite
- not want to eat solid food / be unable to eat solid food.
Symptoms can vary, not every child presents the same symptoms. If in doubt, act quickly and take your child to the nearest A&E department.
- Look around in your house and identify which toys and gadgets use button batteries
- Do not leave discarded button batteries laying around loose in the house. Always store them out of sight and reach of young children
- Pay attention to the labelling and instructions of the toy/appliance you purchase
- Look out for the safety pictogram ‘keep out of reach of children’ ISO 7010
- Try to opt for toys with a CE marking with a secured battery compartment
- Make sure that you securely fasten the battery compartment after replacing the button batteries of a product
- Do not store small batteries in pill boxes or place them together with medication. Their shape and size make them easily mistaken for medication
- Bring waste button batteries to a collection point so they can be recycled. Batteries at the end of life should be disposed of appropriately
