Lead/Acid Batteries

Information Relative to the Canadian Chemical Regulations

Q1: What are the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001?

The Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 (CCCR-2001) made under the authority of the Hazardous Products Act, are administered by Health Canada. These regulations establish classification criteria, labelling and packaging requirements for chemical products used by consumers. The classification criteria are based on a scientific assessment of the hazards that a product may pose during foreseeable use. Labelling and packaging requirements are determined from the product classification. This approach gives Canadian consumers the health and safety information they need to use chemical products safely.

These regulations were amended in 2001 to move from the former list-based system to requirements based on hazard criteria. As a result, the Regulations capture a broader range of chemical products and apply equally to all products that present the same degree of hazard.

Q2: What standards apply to lead/acid batteries?

Lead/acid starter batteries are addressed by an international standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), titled IEC 60095-1 "Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 1: General requirements and methods of test", sixth edition, 2000-12. This is a voluntary standard used for products made and sold worldwide.

The IEC is a global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. The IEC is an international standardization partner of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), their scope of activities complement each other and, like the ISO, the IEC is a non-governmental body.

The IEC 60095-1 standard prescribes safety and performance requirements such as cranking performance, electrical capacity, charge acceptance, charge retention, cycle endurance, water consumption, vibration resistance, electrolyte retention (leakage) and safety labelling.

Lead/acid batteries, including starter, lighter and ignition batteries that meet the safety-related aspects of the international standard IEC 60095-1 are considered to meet the objectives of the CCCR-2001 with respect to protecting consumers from the hazards these products may pose during reasonably foreseeable use.

Q3: How are lead/acid batteries regulated in Canada?

The electrolyte in lead/acid batteries is a corrosive solution of sulphuric acid. This battery acid solution is capable of causing painful burns which may result in blindness or permanent scarring. If a consumer can be exposed to the battery acid during reasonably foreseeable use, for example, an unsealed battery that must be topped-up as part of its regular maintenance, then that product would fall under the purview of the CCCR-2001.

But products that meet the safety-related specifications of the international standard IEC 60095-1 are administratively exempt from the CCCR-2001. Information explaining the safe use of unsealed lead/acid batteries should be made available on the battery or in a replacement battery booklet (if available).

Q4: What if my brand of unsealed batteries is mainly sold to garages and other workplaces?

Chemical products sold to workplaces are subject to the requirements of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), established under the Hazardous Products Act and associated Controlled Products Regulations (CPR). Note that batteries may be exempt from WHMIS supplier requirements by virtue of paragraph 12(i) of the Act which establishes an exemption for "manufactured articles".