Button batteries
This product safety policy statement provides guidance for manufacturers and suppliers of button batteries to help reduce the risks associated with these items.
In 2023 the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) reviewed the policy statement and the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs agreed to continue it. MBIE will review the statement again by 2 March 2028.
About this policy statement
Button batteries are the small, round batteries that power products like hearing aids, watches, toys, games, calculators, musical greeting cards and many remote controls.
If a button battery is swallowed or inserted it can get stuck and start causing significant irreversible damage in as little as 2 hours.
What you can do as a supplier
If you make or supply products with button batteries, check them against the guidance in the policy statement. Can the product be made safer?
If you're sourcing new products that have button batteries, choose:
- devices with secure child-resistant battery compartments
- button batteries in child-resistant packaging
- products with button battery information and warnings.
Policy statement
Product Safety Policy Statement — Button batteries; safer products and packaging [PDF, 483 KB]
In 2023 MBIE reviewed the policy statement and the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs agreed to continue it. MBIE will review the statement again by 2 March 2028.