Health Canada Launches Consultation on Lithium-Ion Batteries|ICC

Health Canada Launches Consultation on Lithium-Ion Batteries

Health Canada is taking steps to enhance the safety of consumer products in Canada. They officially announced the launch of a public consultation on proposed new regulatory requirements for lithium-ion batteries and consumer products containing them under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).

Why is Health Canada Proposing New Requirements?

Lithium-ion batteries power countless products we use every day, from phones and laptops to scooters and tools. While the technology is generally safe, when batteries are poorly designed, manufactured, or subjected to excessive mechanical, electrical, or thermal stress, they can fail—with serious consequences.

Potential hazards range from overheating and off-gassing to fire, thermal runaway, and even explosion. These failures can happen in seconds, and lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish. Furthermore, internal damage may not be visible to the consumer, creating an unmitigated, hidden risk.

The Numbers Behind the Risk

The data underscores the seriousness of this issue:

924 Reports: Between 2013 and 2023, Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Program received 924 reports of lithium-ion battery incidents.
266 Injuries: 28.8% of these incidents involved injuries, including 3 fatalities.
87 Recalls: Over the same period, 87 product recalls were issued, affecting over 980,000 units in Canada.

These numbers are based only on reported incidents, likely underestimating the true scope of the safety risk posed by uncertified, poorly designed, or inadequately manufactured batteries.

What is Being Proposed?

Health Canada is proposing a regulatory initiative under the CCPSA to establish mandatory safety requirements for lithium-ion batteries and products containing them that are manufactured, imported, advertised, and sold in Canada.

This initiative is looking at various options to specify performance criteria that would reduce the risks of overheating, fire, and explosion. This includes considering:

Mandatory performance criteria for battery protection and battery management systems.
The viability of mandatory third-party certification.
The incorporation of recognized safety standards

Existing standards that address hazards associated with the batteries themselves that are under consideration include:

CSA C22.2 No.62133-2:20 – Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes — Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications — Part 2: Lithium systems (Bi-national standard with UL 62133-2, harmonized with IEC 62133-2);
UL 1642, 6th edition – Lithium Batteries; and,
UL 2054, 3rd edition – Household and Commercial Batteries

These requirements aim to ensure batteries and products maintain safe operating parameters throughout their life.

Have Your Say!

This is a crucial opportunity for stakeholders—including manufacturers, importers, retailers, safety experts, and consumers—to provide their expertise.

Health Canada is seeking comments on the proposed regulatory initiative.

Consultation Period: The consultation is open for 75 days, starting December 2, 2025.

Deadline: All feedback must be submitted by February 14, 2026.

How to Participate: Review the Notice of Intent and submit your responses using the official questionnaire.

If you have further questions, please connect with Health Canada Consumer Product Safety:

Email: [email protected] or telephone at 1-866-662-0666 (toll-free within Canada and the United States).

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