Australian state sounds alarm on battery suppliers

In a national first, the NSW government today announced new laws for handling and discarding lithium batteries, which can trigger fires.

Ministers have introduced a bill to state parliament outlining new mandatory requirements for manufacturers and suppliers of everyday products.

The initial ones falling under the new rules will be batteries, which fire authorities have identified as a major safety hazard.

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Every year there are 10,000 to 12,000 fires in trucks at waste facilities due to the improper disposal, use, and poor design of lithium batteries.

Since only last year, Fire and Rescue NSW has responded to 384 lithium-ion battery incidents.

They caused multiple deaths and left at least 33 injured.

The planned laws will require battery suppliers to register battery products and carry out their safe disposal or recycling through dedicated collection points.

They will also have to improve battery design, packaging, importation, and storage to ensure better safety and recyclability as well as running public education campaigns.

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The new laws will cover smaller embedded batteries found in common devices, such as cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, children's toys, e-bikes and e-scooters.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said batteries will be needed increasingly as the economy shifts away from fossil fuel-based power.

"But without adequate safety and care we will see further deaths, injuries, and property damage."

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