After technical review, the ANSI Accredited Standards Committee on portable cells and batteries published ANSI C18.1M, Part 2-2017 American National Standard for Portable Primary Cells and Batteries with Aqueous Electrolyte—Safety Standard. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) serves as secretariat for the standard.

This revised standard specifies performance requirements for portable primary batteries with aqueous electrolyte and zinc anode (non-lithium) to ensure their safe operation under normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.

“Significant changes to the 2017 edition of ANSI C18.1M, Part 2 include the harmonization of the end-of-test requirements to IEC 60086-5 for the incorrect installation and external short-circuit tests,” says Carin Stuart, senior technology engineer at Energizer Holdings Inc., and chair of the ANSI C18-5 Subcommittee on Portable Cells and Batteries—Safety.

The revision also includes a checklist that outlines the compliance requirements for this standard.