Official announcements from Apple or regional regulatory bodies

Apple Updates AirTags with Safety Warnings to Comply with Reese's Law

Jan 3, 2025, 05:00 AM

Apple has updated its AirTag tracking devices and packaging to include new safety warnings in compliance with Reese's Law, which mandates warning labels for products containing button cell or coin batteries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a Notice of Violation to Apple, citing that AirTags imported after March 19, 2024, lacked the required on-product and on-box warnings about the severe risks of battery ingestion by children. In response, Apple added a warning symbol inside the AirTag's battery compartment, updated the packaging with required warnings, and incorporated a warning message into the Find My app that appears when users replace the AirTag battery. These measures aim to address the hazards posed by the CR2032 lithium coin cell batteries used in AirTags, which can cause serious injuries if swallowed. Reese's Law, named after Reese Hamsmith, a child who died in 2020 after ingesting a coin-cell battery, seeks to enhance safety standards for such products. It remains unclear whether these updates are being implemented globally or exclusively in the U.S., and whether the CPSC has issued a fine to Apple. Additionally, Apple is rumored to launch a second-generation AirTag with enhanced features later this year.