Category: Electronics

Amazon Lithium Batteries Requirements For Sellers: An Overview

Posted on by Ivan Malloci — 17 Comments

Lithium Batteries Requirements

Selling lithium batteries and products that contain lithium batteries on Amazon requires compliance with various regulations, safety standards, and other requirements. These includes UL standards, also dangerous goods requirements.

This guide covers different types of lithium batteries and the requirements that apply in terms of standards. We also take a look at button and coin batteries which are covered by additional requirements.

This guide only takes requirements related to selling lithium batteries on Amazon in the United States into consideration. Note that similar requirments also apply when selling products on Amazon in the European Union, Australia, Japan, and elsewhere, although specific requirements may differ.

Methodology: We used information that we found on Amazon Seller Central Guidance pages hosted on Amazon.com (US version). We link to some of these pages, in the sections below.

We also refer to US regulations, such as 16 CFR Part 1263 – Safety Standard for Button Cell or Coin Batteries and Consumer Products Containing Such Batteries.

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AC Adapter Regulations in the United States: An Overview

Posted on by Ivan Malloci — Leave a comment

AC Adapter Safety Standards in the US

AC adapters, power supplies, and chargers are used to power all sorts of electronics. AC adapters are also potential electrical and fire hazards, which is why these are subject to various regulations and standards in the United States. This includes 47 CFR Part 15, 10 CFR Part 430, and several UL standards – the latter of which are generally voluntary.

This guide serves as an introduction to compliance requirements for AC adapters, and power supplies and chargers in general. You also find examples of relevant standards.

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AC Adapter Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Ivan Malloci — 4 Comments

AC Adapter Safety Standards in the EU

AC adapters are a type of power supply used to charge phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. These products are subject to several regulations in the European Union, including the Low Voltage Directive, the EMC Directive, and Regulation (EU) 2019/1782, which is an implementing measure under the Ecodesign Directive.

In this guide, we cover requirements of various regulations and directives applicable to AC adapters. We also explain lab testing requirements and risk factors.
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Ecodesign Directive: An Essential Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 3 Comments

Ecodesign Directive

The EcodesThe Ecodesign Directive establishes a framework for general requirements and specific implementing measures for various energy-related products, such as vacuum cleaners, computers, and refrigerators.

In this guide, we explain the directive’s product scope and provide information concerning conformity assessment, documentation, labelling, and other requirements.
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EU Batteries Regulation: An Essential Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 1 Comment

The Batteries Regulation is a new regulation that sets requirements for batteries and waste batteries placed in the EU market. It covers all types of batteries unless an exemption applies.

In this guide, we explain when the regulation will begin to apply, and its differences from the prior Batteries Directive. We also outline documentation, labelling, EPR and other requirements.
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Radio Equipment Directive (RED): An Essential Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 2 Comments

The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) sets requirements for the safety, electromagnetic compatibility and use of the radio spectrum of radio equipment placed in the EU market. It covers devices with some sort of wireless communication capability, including WiFi, LTE, 5G, Bluetooth and GPS.

It has also been updated to cover USB standards for chargers, user data privacy protection, and software compatibility.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers must know about the Radio Equipment Directive – including standards, labelling, documentation, and testing requirements.
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UN 38.3 Requirements for Lithium Batteries: A Practical Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 2 Comments

UN 38.3 guide

If you are planning to ship lithium batteries in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, or Canada, you should be aware that there are restrictions, due to the fact that lithium batteries might be dangerous. For example, they might explode or catch fire.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers should know about UN 38.3 compliance requirements in practice. Note that other markets might regulate lithium batteries as well.
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Reese’s Law – Guide to Button Cell Battery Safety Requirements

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 6 Comments

Reese's Law
Reese’s Law, enacted in honor of a toddler who lost her life due to the ingestion of a button cell battery, intends to protect users from similar tragedies. It mandates the establishment of a safety standard, which in turn sets requirements for button cell and coin batteries, and products that might contain such batteries.

This guide explains the background and purpose of Reese’s Law. It also covers 16 CFR Part 1263, the safety standard proposed by the CPSC as a result of the law. This guide also covers the standard’s product scope, as well as requirements regarding performance, labeling, testing, and certification.
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EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS): An Essential Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

The RoHS Directive restricts chemicals and heavy metals in electronic components, solder, and materials (e.g. casing). It applies to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) imported or manufactured in the European Union.

The requirements of the RoHS directive go beyond substance restrictions. More specifically, the directive also covers CE marking and other labelling requirements, documentation, and lab testing.
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Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive: An Essential Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 1 Comment

The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive covers electric and electronic equipment that may cause electromagnetic interference with other devices, or that might be disturbed by the electromagnetic field created by other devices.

Some types of electronic devices, such as quartz watches, do not fall under the scope of the directive because they are considered “inherently benign”, in the sense that they do not interfere and are not affected by other devices.

In this guide, we cover what EU importers and manufacturers must know about the directive, including harmonised standards, labelling, documentation, and lab testing requirements.
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