IEC 60086-4:2019/ISH1:2020

 IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60086-4
Edition 5.0  2019-04
PRIMARY BATTERIES –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

INTERPRETATION SHEET 1
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 35: Primary cells and
batteries.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
35/1445/DISH 35/1448/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

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Question 1
In looking at IEC 60086-4 Edition 5.0 2019-04, I thought it was difficult to understand all of the
marking requirements for swallowable batteries as well as the purpose of those requirements.
Could you provide a detailed explanation?
Answer 1
The following list of statements reflects the intention of Table 9 and presents an interpretation
of certain parts of Clause 9, and Annex F:
a) Table 9 is intended to summarize requirements that are found in the text, namely in 7.2 a),
9.1 and 9.2, and in Annex F.
ICS 29.220.10
IEC 60086-4:2019-04/ISH1:2020-05(en-fr)

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 IEC 2020
b) The structure of table 9 is similar to the list in 9.1 (items "a)" to "f)") and 9.2 (items "a)" thru
"b)").
c) From item a) in 9.2 it is not clear what exactly is required to appear on the packaging and
what on the battery: the safety sign alone (Table D.1 item E, or Figure F.1) or the complete
product safety label (Figure 9).
The purpose of measures to prevent accidental ingestion of batteries is to eliminate the
opportunity for children to get stuck batteries in the oesophagus.
The battery that requires measures to prevent accidental ingestion is a swallowable battery size
which fits within the limits of the ingestion gauge and is applied to direct sale in consumer-
replaceable applications in which children have opportunity to contact swallowable batteries.
There is no description requiring the marking of Caution for ingestion on battery/cell with a
diameter of 20 mm or more in the text. However, due to the consideration of measures to
prevent accidental ingestion, it was determined that the marking of Caution for ingestion on a
battery/cell with a diameter of 20 mm or more is needed and its requirement is shown in Table 9.
Therefore, a pictogram must be engraved as a substitute of Caution for ingestion due to a
battery/cell with a diameter of 20 mm or more having no space to display the marking.
The type of "caution for ingestion" that is required on the immediate packaging of swallowable
batteries is one of the safety signs as shown in Figure F.1. Where there is enough space on
the packaging, additional information per Figure 9 (the safety label or only its text) can be
printed on the packaging or accompanying safety information about battery handling.
Table 1 of this Interpretation Sheet summarizes the requirements for marking of lithium button
cells.
Table 1 – Marking requirements for swallowable batteries
Diameter Requirement(s)
d < 16 mm Cautionary advice in the form of the words KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN or the
safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the immediate packaging.
16 mm ≤ d < 20 mm Child resistant packaging and cautionary advice in the form of the words KEEP OUT OF
REACH OF CHILDREN or the safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the immediate packaging.
d ≥ 20 mm Child resistant packaging, cautionary advice in the form of the words KEEP OUT OF REACH
OF CHILDREN or the safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the immediate packaging, and the
safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the positive side of the battery.
NOTE If applicable, the cautionary advice in the form of words should appear in one or more languages as
appropriate for the market on which the cells and batteries are placed.

Question 2
From 9.2 and in particular 9.2 a), it is not clear which kind of batteries are intended for direct
sale in consumer-replaceable applications?
Answer 2
The kind of batteries that are included are those with general packaging such as blister packs
sold in stores and on the internet, batteries packed with equipment and batteries which are
contained in equipment and can be replaced by the consumer.
Question 3
Annex F is marked as "Informative", however "requirements" is stated in the title of Table 9.
When referring to Table 9, do we have to consider Annex F as "normative" ?

 IEC 2020
Answer 3
Annex F contains supplementary material, the main text in the body of the standard takes
priority over it. Therefore, even if Annex F is informative, the content listed in Table 9 has to be
considered as requirements.
Question 4
In E.3.2 b), it is difficult to understand the test method of the torsion test. It is not clear how to
twist "three times in both directions".
Answer 4
Following is an explanation how and how many times to twist the packaging and in which order
to proceed.
① First time – Hold the packaging with the fingers of one hand on each of its shorter sides from
the state of 0 degrees (neutral state without torsion). Twist it diagonally with a torsion angle of
45° in opposite directions as shown in Figure E.2.
② Second time – Twist it diagonally 90° (45° back + 45° opposite direction) in opposite
directions to the direction twisted at the first time
③ Third time – Return to neutral state without torsion (45° back)
④ Movements ①, ② and ③ are counted as 1 time (1 reciprocation) and are repeated 25 times
(25 reciprocations).
Figure 1 of this Interpretation Sheet shows the movements of the torsion test. The red and blue
lines represent the left and right edge of the packaging. The triangles and circles were added
to keep track of the orientation during movements.

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 IEC 2020
Figure 1 – Torsion test
Question 5
From 9.2 b), Table 9, and Annex E, it is not clear what the transition period is for the requirement
of "Child resistant package" ?
Answer 5
The transition period is the same as Marking and packaging requirements, namely 2 years from
the publication date of the fifth edition of IEC 60086-4.

 IEC 2020
COMMISSION ÉLECTROTECHNIQUE INTERNATIONALE
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IEC 60086-4
Edition 5.0  2019-04
PILES ÉLECTRIQUES –
Partie 4: Sécurité des piles au lithium

FEUILLE D'INTERPR É TA TI O N 1

Cette feuille d’interprétation a été établie par le comité d'études 35 de l'IEC: Piles.
Le texte de cette feuille d’interprétation est issu des documents suivants:
DISH Rapport de vote
35/1445/DISH 35/1448/RVDISH
Le rapport de vote indiqué
...