Apple has just received a notice of violation from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding its AirTags. The company had failed to comply with some safety labeling requirements, but quickly took corrective action to protect children from battery-related dangers.
New mandatory warning labels
The Reese’s Law, which took effect on March 19, 2024 in the United States, imposes strict requirements for products containing button cells or flat cell batteries. If Apple AirTags complied with technical standards for securing their lithium battery, units imported after this date did not include the mandatory warnings on the product and packaging regarding the risks of ingestion by children. To remedy this situation, Apple has implemented several measures:
- Added a warning symbol inside the battery compartment
- Updated AirTag boxes with new notices and warning symbols
- Integration of security alerts in the Find My application when replacing the battery
Rapid compliance but unanswered questions
If Apple reacted promptly to comply with the regulations, the CPSC points out that non-compliant units have already been sold to consumers. However, adding warnings to the Find My app will help make older AirTags users aware of the potential dangers.
This update comes as AirTags have been the subject of controversy in the past, particularly regarding their potential use for harassment. Apple continues to improve the security of its trackers, as evidenced by the recent iOS 18.2 update which brought new features.
As a reminder, button batteries represent a real danger for young children if swallowed, which could cause serious injury or even death. The CPSC reminds that all manufacturers, importers and distributors must comply with the Reese Act or face sanctions.
