CPSC’s button cell and coin battery safety regulations to be enforced this month,
CPSC’s button cell and coin battery safety regulations,

▍What is CTIA CERTIFICATION?

CTIA, the abbreviation of Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, is a non-profit civic organization established in 1984 for the purpose of guaranteeing benefit of operators, manufacturers and users. CTIA consists of all U.S. operators and manufacturers from mobile radio services, as well as from wireless data services and products. Supported by FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and Congress, CTIA performs a large part of duties and functions that were used to be conducted by the government. In 1991, CTIA created an unbiased, independent and centralized product evaluation and certification system for wireless industry. Under the system, all wireless products in consumer grade shall take compliance tests and those complying with the relevant standards will be granted to utilize CTIA marking and hit store shelves of North American communication market.

CATL (CTIA Authorized Testing Laboratory) represents labs accredited by CTIA for testing and review. Testing reports issued from CATL would be all approved by CTIA. While other testing reports and results from non-CATL will not be recognized or have no access to CTIA. CATL accredited by CTIA varies in industries and certifications. Only CATL which is qualified for battery compliance test and inspection has access to battery certification for compliance to  IEEE1725.

▍CTIA Battery Testing Standards

a) Certification Requirement for Battery system Compliance to IEEE1725— Applicable to Battery Systems with single cell or multiple cells connected in parallel;

b) Certification Requirement for Battery system Compliance to IEEE1625— Applicable to Battery Systems with multiple cells connected in parallel or in both parallel and series;

Warm tips: Select above certification standards properly for batteries used in mobile phones and computers. Do not misuse IEE1725 for batteries in mobile phones or IEEE1625 for batteries in computers.

▍Why MCM？

● Hard Technology: Since 2014, MCM has been attending battery pack conference held by CTIA in US annually, and is able to obtain latest update and understand new policy trends about CTIA in a more prompt, accurate and active way. 

●Qualification: MCM is CATL accredited by CTIA and is qualified to perform all processes related to certification including testing, factory audit and report uploading.

On February 12, 2024, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a reminder document that the safety regulations for button cells and coin batteries issued under Sections 2 and 3 of the Reese’s Law will be implemented in the near future.
Section 2 of Reese’s Law requires the CPSC to promulgate rules for coin batteries and consumer products containing such batteries. The CPSC has issued a direct final rule (88 FR 65274) to incorporate ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 into a mandatory safety standard (effective March 8, 2024). ANSI/UL 4200A-2023 requirements for consumer products that contain or are designed to use button cells or coin batteries are as follows,Battery boxes containing replaceable button cells or coin batteries must be secured so that opening requires the use of a tool or at least two separate and simultaneous hand movements
Coin batteries or coin Battery cases shall not be subject to use and abuse testing that would result in such cells being contacted or released
The entire product packaging must carry warnings
If feasible, the product itself must carry warnings
Accompanying instructions and manuals must contain all applicable warnings
At the same time, the CPSC also issued a separate final rule (88 FR 65296) to establish warning labeling requirements for the packaging of button cells or coin batteries (including batteries packaged separately from consumer products) (implemented on September 21, 2024)