Choose certified products
U.S. Public Safety Guidance
What U.S. safety organizations recommend
A source-by-source guide to choosing lithium-powered products, using them safely at work, recognizing changes, and arranging the right return or recycling route.
U.S. Public Education Framework
C.H.A.R.G.E. turns battery safety into six practical actions
Developed by the Fire Safety Research Institute and shared by the U.S. Fire Administration, C.H.A.R.G.E. connects safer purchasing, everyday care, warning signs, recycling, emergency response, and education in one memorable framework.
Handle with care
Always stay alert for warning signs
Recycle devices and batteries properly
Get out quickly if there’s a fire
Educate others on safe practices
Source FSRI + U.S. Fire Administration
View the official frameworkOfficial Safety Sources
The organizations behind U.S. safety guidance
Explore how product-safety, workplace, fire, transportation, aviation, and environmental organizations contribute distinct guidance across selection, use, incident prevention, travel, and end-of-life handling.
CPSC · Product safety, recalls, and incident reporting
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC addresses hazards associated with consumer products and publishes safety notices, recalls, and product-category guidance.Best source for
- Product-safety alerts
- Exact-model recall searches
- Consumer incident reporting
Scope note
CPSC oversees consumer-product hazards. It works with standards organizations, but it is not a product-certification laboratory.What the guidance emphasizes
Choose products evaluated to standards appropriate to the product category.
Identify a product by its exact model, SKU, date code, or serial scope.
Review safety notices and follow the remedy stated for an affected product.
Use SaferProducts.gov to search reports or submit a product-safety concern.
OSHA · Workplace practices and recognized testing laboratories
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA provides workplace guidance for lithium-powered equipment and recognizes qualified testing organizations through its NRTL program.Best source for
- Workplace procedures
- NRTL certification context
- Training and emergency planning
Scope note
OSHA recognizes NRTLs within defined scopes. OSHA itself does not test or certify individual products.What the guidance emphasizes
Use batteries, chargers, and equipment tested to an appropriate standard and certified where applicable.
Follow manufacturer instructions for storage, charging, use, and maintenance.
Inspect for cracking, bulging, leaking, hissing, rising temperature, or smoke.
Include lithium-battery incidents in training and the workplace emergency action plan.
USFA · Public fire-safety education and early response
U.S. Fire Administration + Fire Safety Research Institute
USFA shares the Fire Safety Research Institute’s C.H.A.R.G.E. framework to make lithium-ion battery safety easier to remember and act on.Best source for
- The C.H.A.R.G.E. framework
- Charging and placement guidance
- Fire-response education
Scope note
C.H.A.R.G.E. is a public-education framework developed by FSRI and promoted by USFA. It is not a federal certification program.What the guidance emphasizes
Choose certified products and use the charger made for the device.
Charge and store in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures and combustibles.
Stay alert for cracking, bulging, leaking, unusual heat, odor, noise, or smoke.
If a fire starts, get out quickly, close the door if possible, and call 911.
PHMSA · Commercial transportation and hazardous-material rules
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
PHMSA sets U.S. transportation requirements for lithium cells and batteries, including test summaries, packaging, and damaged-battery handling.Best source for
- UN 38.3 test summaries
- Commercial shipment preparation
- Condition-specific transport rules
Scope note
UN 38.3 addresses transportation conditions. It is not complete product-safety certification for workplace use.What the guidance emphasizes
Lithium-cell and battery designs offered for transport must pass UN 38.3 design tests.
Manufacturers and subsequent distributors must make required test summaries available.
Packaging must protect batteries from damage, movement, and short circuit.
Damaged, defective, or recalled batteries require special handling and are forbidden by air.
FAA · Passenger air-travel restrictions
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA PackSafe guidance explains how passengers may carry spare batteries, power banks, and battery-powered devices aboard aircraft.Best source for
- Carry-on requirements
- Watt-hour limits
- Airline-approval questions
Scope note
FAA PackSafe guidance governs passenger carriage. Commercial shipping is a separate PHMSA decision.Official resources
FAA PackSafeWhat the guidance emphasizes
Power banks and spare lithium-ion batteries belong in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage.
Up to 100 Wh is generally allowed; 101-160 Wh requires airline approval and is limited.
Lithium-powered devices above 160 Wh are forbidden on passenger aircraft.
Damaged or recalled batteries that can produce dangerous heat must not be carried aboard.
EPA · End-of-life handling and recycling
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA explains why lithium-ion batteries require a dedicated return or recycling route and how household and business pathways can differ.Best source for
- Collection and recycling routes
- Business-facility guidance
- Waste-stream fire prevention
Scope note
End-of-life obligations can vary by state and by whether the holder is a household or a business.What the guidance emphasizes
Never place lithium-ion batteries or battery-powered products in ordinary trash or municipal recycling.
Use participating take-back programs or appropriate battery and electronics recyclers.
Contact the manufacturer for damaged products or medium and large battery systems.
Businesses should review federal universal-waste guidance and applicable state requirements.
Federal guidance is the starting point. State waste rules and local fire, electrical, and building requirements may add obligations for a particular site.
Practical Safety Guidance
How to choose, use, and retire lithium-battery products safely
These recurring actions turn U.S. public guidance into one practical pathway. Select a card to see the official publications behind each action.
01 - 02Choose carefully
03 - 04Use carefully
05 - 06Recognize and respond
07 - 08Complete the lifecycle
01Choose carefully
Identify the exactproduct.
Record the manufacturer, model, watt-hours, ratings, and product label before deployment.
SOURCESCPSC
View guidance and sources
02Choose carefully
Verify safetycertification.
Match the exact model to an appropriate standard and recognized certification body.
SOURCESCPSC · OSHA
View guidance and sources
03Use carefully
Choose a suitablelocation.
Use a stable, dry, ventilated place clear of heat, liquids, combustibles, and exits.
SOURCESUSFA · OSHA
View guidance and sources
04Use carefully
Charge and useas directed.
Use approved charging equipment and follow the exact product manual and electrical ratings.
SOURCESUSFA · OSHA
View guidance and sources
05Recognize and respond
Inspect forchanges.
Check condition, cables, indicators, temperature, sound, odor, and performance before use.
SOURCESUSFA · OSHA
View guidance and sources
06Recognize and respond
Pause and followproduct guidance.
If condition or behavior changes, pause normal use and follow the manual or support path.
SOURCESUSFA · OSHA
View guidance and sources
07Complete the lifecycle
Use the approvedservice route.
Keep manuals, provider contacts, and authorized service or replacement options connected.
SOURCESCPSC · OSHA
View guidance and sources
08Complete the lifecycle
Plan return orrecycling.
Confirm the accepted return, transport, and recycling route before the product reaches end of life.
SOURCESEPA · PHMSA
View guidance and sources
Select any action to flip the card and view its official U.S. sources.
The product manual remains model-specific.
Public guidance establishes the safety principles. The manufacturer’s manual defines approved conditions, ratings, charging equipment, maintenance, and indicators for the exact model.
Battery Return & Recycling
Choose the right return or recycling route
For workplace and fleet products, keep lithium-powered equipment separate from ordinary waste and confirm acceptance before it leaves your site.
Three workplace handoff steps
Identify
Record the product, battery type, model, and current condition.
Separate
Keep the product protected and apart from ordinary trash or municipal recycling.
Confirm
Verify acceptance and preparation instructions before the product leaves the site.
NORMAL CONDITION
Complete power station
Use the provider’s take-back program or a recycler that accepts the complete battery-powered product.
NORMAL + ELIGIBLE
Removable rechargeable battery
Use an accepted battery collection or recycling program and follow its terminal-protection instructions.
CONDITION-SPECIFIC ROUTE
Changed or damaged product
Keep it out of routine collection and contact the manufacturer or recycler before handling or transport.
About this guide. This page synthesizes public U.S. guidance for portable lithium-powered workplace products.
Scope. Follow the exact product manual, workplace procedures, condition-specific transport instructions, and applicable state or local requirements. Sources reviewed August 31, 2026.
