The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced that its product safety working group has submitted a proposal to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to help prevent access by children to lithium coin- and button-cell batteries in consumer electronics (CE) devices.
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Unedited press release follows:
CEA Product Safety Group Proposes Safeguards to Limit Child Access to Lithium Batteries
ARLINGTON, Va.–The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® Product Safety Working Group has submitted a proposal to Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent safety certification organization, to prevent access by children to lithium coin- and button-cell batteries in consumer electronics (CE) devices.
The proposal, UL 60065 7th Ed. Preliminary Proposal for Additional “Coin” Cell Requirements V12.0, consists of two safeguards to keep children from accessing lithium batteries in CE products: (1) guidelines for how products are constructed; and (2) a user warning. The product construction guidelines give manufacturers flexibility in design while requiring mechanical testing to demonstrate that the battery will not be accessible under normal use conditions.
“For decades, CEA has been a leader in developing and proposing innovative, market-driven solutions to ensure CE product safety,” said Megan Hayes, CEA senior manager for technology and standards. “Coin or button lithium batteries, if swallowed, can present an immediate health risk to young children. For this reason, CE manufacturers are taking preventative steps to ensure that these batteries are not accessible by children under normal use.”
CEA leads technology manufacturers in fostering CE industry growth by developing industry standards and technical specifications that enable new products to come to market and encourage interoperability with existing devices. CEA maintains an unmatched reputation as a credible and flexible standards making body and has earned ANSI accreditation. Through more than 70 committees, subcommittees and working groups, the CEA Technology and Standards program provides a unique and efficient forum where technical professionals throughout the industry develop a unified technology roadmap and address technical issues critical to CE industry growth. For information about CEA Technology and Standards, visit CE.org/standards, or visit CE.org/Standards/1447.asp to join or start a new standards effort.
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.