What's happening
This bill requires warning labels on small lithium batteries and products containing them to alert consumers to ingestion dangers, especially for children.
Why it matters
Raises consumer awareness at point of purchase. By requiring clear, explicit warnings on both packaging and the batteries themselves, the law aims to make consumers—especially parents and caregivers—immediately aware of the potentially fatal risk if these small batteries are swallowed.
Targets a specific, high-risk hazard. The focus on lithium batteries under one inch in diameter addresses a well-documented source of injuries and fatalities among young children, who are more likely to accidentally ingest small objects.
Encourages industry compliance and safer practices. The mandate compels manufacturers and retailers to update labeling and packaging, potentially leading to broader consideration of safety features or alternative designs to reduce accidental ingestion.
Enables regulatory oversight and enforcement. By directing the Department of Health to establish rules and regulations, the bill sets up a framework for monitoring compliance and adapting safety standards as needed.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Warn About Small Lithium Batteries
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Label Lithium Battery Warnings
In Senate Committee · Consumer Protection · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5226
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 7, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, GALEF, BRAUNSTEIN, SOLAGES, GOTTFRIED, HOOPER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CRESPO, ENGLEBRIGHT, SIMON -read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring warnings on certain lithium batteries and products containing such batteries
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 490-c of the general business law is amended by adding two new subdivisions 3 and 4 to read as follows:
3. All products sold in this state which utilize lithium batteries of less than one inch in diameter as a source of power shall be packaged with language which reads as follows:
"WARNING: This product is powered by a lithium battery. Due to their small size, lithium batteries can easily be swallowed by children. Ingestion of such batteries has been known to cause death."
4. All lithium batteries of less than one inch in diameter sold in this state, or used in products sold in this state, shall have printed upon them the following language:
"WARNING: This is a lithium battery which if swallowed has been known to cause death."
§ 2. The department of health shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00377-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.