ACCC issues first infringement notices for breach of button battery standards

24 May 2023

Members are reminded of their obligations under new Button/Coin Battery standards after two Australian retailers have paid almost a quarter of a million dollars in penalties for non-compliance.

In 2020, the Australian Government introduced mandatory standards for consumer goods that use small, flat and round so-called “button” or “coin” batteries to reduce the risk of injury or death – especially to children – as a result of swallowing them.

When the 18-month transition period ended in June 2022, it was clear the new requirements to ensure battery compartments are secure and appropriately labelled were to apply to all new consumer goods, but there was significant confusion about which second hand products had to comply.

The MTA WA team engaged with stakeholders and research uncovered government documents that confirmed beyond doubt the new standards apply to used goods, but only those that were first supplied to a consumer as new on or after 22 June 2022 – not retrospectively to items that were first supplied before that date.
In May 2023, the ACCC published a media statement declaring “penalties paid by discount retailer The Reject Shop and national homewares retailer Dusk are the ACCC’s first enforcement outcomes under button battery standards”.

In light of these penalties, MTA WA Members are encouraged to revisit our knowledge article on the issue or contact their account manager to ensure compliance.