Amazon Lithium-Metal Battery Product SDS

Did Amazon flag your coin cell battery, CR123A battery, watch, key fob, pet tracker, glucose meter, or other product containing a primary lithium battery as hazmat and ask for a Safety Data Sheet? Primary (non-rechargeable) lithium-metal batteries contain metallic lithium that is water-reactive and carry the most restrictive transport classification in the lithium battery category. Our Lithium-Metal Battery Product SDS service delivers a compliant 16-section Safety Data Sheet with accurate lithium-metal chemistry identification, water-reactivity communication, and freight-ready transport details, so you stay listed and shipping.

Why Lithium-Metal Battery Products Are Flagged Differently

Lithium-metal batteries are classified more strictly than lithium-ion batteries because the hazard profile is fundamentally different:

• Metallic lithium is water-reactive. Lithium metal reacts vigorously with water, producing lithium hydroxide (corrosive) and hydrogen gas (flammable). A damaged lithium-metal battery exposed to moisture can produce heat, corrosive solution, and flammable gas simultaneously.
• Lithium metal fires cannot be extinguished with water. Water makes lithium metal fires worse. Appropriate extinguishing media (dry sand, Class D extinguisher, lithium-specific fire suppressant) must be specified in Section 5 of the SDS.
• Transport classification is the most restrictive. Standalone lithium-metal batteries (UN3090) carry the strictest transport requirements of any lithium battery category, including quantity limits and air-freight restrictions that do not apply to lithium-ion.
• Electrolyte chemistry differs from lithium-ion. Primary lithium batteries use non-aqueous electrolytes specific to the cell chemistry: lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCl2), lithium manganese dioxide (LiMnO2), lithium iron disulfide (LiFeS2), or lithium fluorocarbon. Each has its own electrolyte composition and hazard profile.

Categories We Author SDS For

• Coin cell / button cell batteries, CR2032, CR2025, CR2016, CR1632, and other CR-series lithium manganese dioxide cells.
• CR123A batteries, used in cameras, flashlights, security systems, and tactical equipment.
• AA and AAA lithium batteries (e.g., Energizer Ultimate Lithium type, lithium iron disulfide FR6/FR03).
• 9V lithium batteries.
• Lithium thionyl chloride cells (LiSOCl2), used in industrial IoT sensors, utility meters, medical devices, and long-life applications.
• Products containing coin cell batteries, watches, key fobs, remote controls, calculators, pet trackers and GPS tags, bathroom scales, digital thermometers, hearing aids, glucose meters, LED candles and tea lights.
• Products containing CR123A batteries, security cameras, smoke detectors, motion sensors, tactical flashlights.
• Toys with lithium-metal batteries.
• Greeting cards and novelty items with button cells.
• Medical devices with lithium-metal batteries, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, TENS units.

What We Classify Accurately

For each lithium-metal battery product, we classify based on the specific cell chemistry:

• Water reactivity of metallic lithium, with appropriate precautionary advice (keep away from water, do not use water for fire-fighting).
• Electrolyte composition specific to the battery type, lithium manganese dioxide cells use organic carbonate electrolytes; lithium thionyl chloride cells use thionyl chloride (highly toxic, corrosive); lithium iron disulfide cells use organic electrolyte with lithium iodide.
• Corrosivity from electrolyte and lithium hydroxide formation on water contact.
• Toxic decomposition products, including sulfur dioxide (SO2) from LiSOCl2 cells, HF from certain electrolyte formulations, and hydrogen gas from water reaction.
• Fire-fighting measures (Section 5) specific to lithium-metal fires: no water, no foam; use dry sand, dry chemical (Class D), or copper powder. This is a critical SDS section for lithium-metal products.
• Lithium metal content (grams), the transport threshold that determines whether Section II relaxed provisions apply.

Lithium Metal Reactivity: The Hazard That Distinguishes Primary from Rechargeable

The fundamental difference between lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries is the presence of elemental metallic lithium in the anode. In a lithium-ion battery, lithium exists as ions intercalated in graphite; in a lithium-metal battery, it exists as the metal itself.

This matters because metallic lithium is a water-reactive metal:

• Lithium + water produces lithium hydroxide (LiOH, corrosive) + hydrogen gas (H2, flammable). The reaction is exothermic.
• In a fire scenario, using water on a lithium-metal battery intensifies the fire by producing flammable hydrogen gas and additional heat.
• A crushed or punctured coin cell exposed to atmospheric moisture can produce a corrosive lithium hydroxide solution on its surface.

The SDS must communicate this water-reactivity clearly in Section 5 (Fire-Fighting Measures), Section 7 (Handling and Storage), and Section 10 (Stability and Reactivity). Generic battery SDS templates that use the same fire-fighting advice for lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries are incorrect, water is acceptable for lithium-ion battery fires (cooling) but contraindicated for lithium-metal battery fires.

Transport Classification: Section 14

Lithium-metal battery transport is the most restrictive lithium category:

• UN3090, lithium metal batteries (standalone), Class 9. This is the most strictly regulated lithium transport entry. Standalone lithium-metal batteries face air-freight restrictions, state-of-charge limits, and packaging requirements that exceed those for any lithium-ion category.
• UN3091, lithium metal batteries contained in equipment or packed with equipment, Class 9. Slightly relaxed compared to UN3090 because the equipment provides physical protection.

Section II provisions (IATA Packing Instructions 968-970, Section II) allow lithium-metal batteries with lithium content not exceeding 1 g per cell (or 2 g per battery for multi-cell) to ship under relaxed packaging requirements. Most consumer coin cells (CR2032 contains approximately 0.109 g lithium) qualify for Section II. The SDS documents the lithium content; the transport provisions determine which packing instruction applies.

The lithium content threshold (grams, not Wh) is different from lithium-ion thresholds (Wh). This distinction catches sellers who apply lithium-ion rules to lithium-metal products.

Where SDS Fits: Reese's Law, UN 38.3, and Child Safety

Lithium-metal battery products, particularly those with button and coin cell batteries, sit under several regulatory frameworks:

• Reese's Law (Public Law 117-171, 2022), enacted following child fatalities from button battery ingestion. Button and coin cell batteries, when swallowed by a child, can lodge in the oesophagus and produce an electrical current that causes severe caustic burns within hours. Reese's Law requires child-resistant battery compartments in consumer products and child-resistant packaging for loose button batteries, under CPSC enforcement. Compliance is through product design and packaging testing (ANSI/UL 4200A), not the SDS. The SDS documents the chemical hazards of the battery; Reese's Law addresses the physical access hazard.
• UN 38.3 Test Summary, required for all lithium-metal batteries before transport, confirming passage of the eight UN transport safety tests. Not an SDS.
• UL / IEC 60086, primary battery safety standard, separate from SDS.
• CPSC, general consumer product safety for battery-containing devices, plus the specific Reese's Law requirements for button cells.
• EU Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542), sustainability, collection, and recycling obligations for batteries sold in the EU.
• EU Toy Safety Directive, if the product is a toy containing a button cell battery, additional child-safety requirements apply.

None of these is done by the SDS. We author the hazard-communication document; Reese's Law compliance, UN 38.3 testing, product-safety certification, and battery regulation obligations are separate.

What You Get

• A complete, 16-section Safety Data Sheet authored to the regulations of the market you sell into (US OSHA HazCom 2024, EU REACH/CLP, UK, Canada, or Australia).
• Accurate lithium-metal chemistry identification with electrolyte, anode, and cathode materials listed by name and CAS number.
• Water-reactivity communication in Sections 5, 7, and 10.
• Correct fire-fighting measures specific to lithium-metal fires (no water, Class D extinguisher).
• Correct Section 14 transport classification (UN3090 or UN3091) with lithium content documented.
• Your product and brand name matched to your Amazon listing.
• A clean, print-ready PDF.
• Standard, fast, or 24-hour priority turnaround.

Who It Is For

Sellers of lithium-metal battery products on Amazon, coin cell and button battery sellers, CR123A battery brands, watch and key fob sellers, pet tracker and GPS tag brands, medical device sellers, security system and smoke detector brands, toy sellers with button cell products, greeting card and novelty item sellers, industrial battery suppliers, private-label battery brands, and importers moving lithium-metal battery products into the US, EU, UK, Canada, or Australia.

How It Works

1. Place your order and send us your battery details: cell type (CR2032, CR123A, LiSOCl2, LiFeS2, etc.), lithium content (grams), whether the battery is standalone or contained in / packed with equipment, and target markets.
2. We classify the lithium-metal chemistry, document water-reactivity and fire-fighting measures, and author your SDS.
3. You receive a print-ready PDF, matched to your listing, ready to upload to Amazon alongside your UN 38.3 test summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are lithium-metal batteries classified more strictly than lithium-ion?

Because lithium-metal batteries contain elemental metallic lithium, which is water-reactive. Lithium-ion batteries contain lithium as ions in a graphite matrix, which is not water-reactive. This difference changes the fire-fighting approach (no water for lithium-metal fires), the transport restrictions (UN3090 is the strictest lithium category), and the SDS content.

Does my CR2032 coin cell really need its own SDS?

If Amazon has asked for one, yes. A CR2032 contains approximately 0.109 g of metallic lithium, a lithium manganese dioxide cathode, and an organic carbonate electrolyte. It is a dangerous good for transport (UN3090 or UN3091) and the SDS documents the internal chemistry for warehouse handlers and emergency responders.

Is the SDS the same as Reese's Law compliance?

No. Reese's Law requires child-resistant battery compartments and packaging for button cell products, addressing the physical access hazard. The SDS documents the chemical hazards of the battery. You need both, but they are completely separate compliance streams.

Does a watch or key fob containing a coin cell need an SDS?

If Amazon has flagged it, yes. The SDS covers the coin cell battery inside the device. The transport classification (UN3091, contained in equipment) is slightly different from a standalone battery (UN3090), and the SDS reflects this.

What is the lithium content threshold for Section II shipping?

Lithium-metal batteries with not more than 1 g of lithium per cell (or 2 g per battery for multi-cell) qualify for Section II relaxed transport provisions. Most consumer coin cells are well below this threshold. The SDS documents the lithium content; the transport provisions determine the packing instruction.

Do you also cover EU, UK, Canada, and Australia?

Yes. EU Toy Safety Directive requirements may apply to toy products with button cells, and the EU Battery Regulation applies to all batteries sold in the EU. These are separate from the SDS. Our Multi-Region SDS Package covers several markets in a single order.

Add the Lithium-Metal Battery Product SDS to your cart and choose your turnaround, or contact us with your cell type and lithium content, we will classify the lithium-metal chemistry accurately and have your SDS ready for Amazon review.