0% Mercury Button Cells In Advance of New Regulations

May 17, 2011 11:12 PM

To help OEMs of portable medical and consumer electronic devices remain compliant with new laws banning the use of mercury in button cell batteries, the Renata Batteries division of The SWATCH Group (Switzerland) has developed a comprehensive line of 0% mercury silver oxide batteries. These batteries are used to power a wide range of devices, such as watches, medical devices including insulin pumps, glucose meters, surgical tools, heart rate monitors, computer battery back-up, RFID tags, keyless remotes, flashlights, laser pointers, children's toys and talking books.

In March of 2006, NEMA, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association of the US electrical manufacturing industry, announced its commitment to eliminate added mercury from button cell batteries by June 30, 2011. Renata is the first manufacturer to release its full line of compliant silver oxide batteries into the North American market.
On July 1, 2011, laws enacted by the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine will become effective, making it illegal to sell devices powered by battery button cells that contain mercury, including all 1.4V zinc-air and 1.5V alkaline batteries, as well as 1.55V silver-oxide batteries. However, the Maine law initially limits the ban to five silver-oxide battery types (357, 364, 371, 377 and 379) until January 2015, when all button cell batteries must be mercury-free. NEMA has identified these five types as representing 80% of the mercury used in silver-oxide batteries.

Some 30 other states have also enacted or are proposing regulations addressing the use of mercury in batteries, meaning that OEMs must use 0% mercury button cells in their products if they are to be sold in the regulated states. As the leading OEM supplier to the European watch industry, Renata has offered a comprehensive line of mercury-free silver-oxide batteries since April of 2010.

For a complete description of Renata Batteries' 0% mercury battery product line, please visit http://www.sykessler.com/watch/0-mercury.html. Samples, volume pricing and technical assistance are available from Sharon Rossi, srossi@sykessler.com or visit www.sykessler.com/renata-oem.

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