DataChart™ NiMH Battery Pack

Compliance Information pursuant to European Regulation (EU) 2023/1542

General Information:

Battery Life:	Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery Pack
Battery Category:	Portable, rechargeable
Battery Brand:	Monarch DataChart NiMH Battery Backup
Battery Size:	(5) AA cells, 6.0V
Distributed By:	Monarch Instrument 15 Columbia Drive, Amherst, NH 03031 USA TEL: 603-883-3390 • Email: compliance@monarchinstrument.com https://www.monarchinstrument.com
Battery Manufacturer:	E&J Technology Group Co., LTD Building 13, 403 Gong Village Industry Longhua, Shenzhen, China TEL: +86 755 29064219 Email: sales@ejtechgroup.com http//www.ejbattery.com
Place of Manufacturer:	Made in China unless specified otherwise on battery
Date of Manufacture:	Date code = EJYYMM where EJ = Manufacturer, YY=Year of manufacture, and MM=Month of manufacture
Weight:	~150.0 g
Capacity:	2400mAh
Chemistry:	NiMH
Hazardous Substances Present in the Battery:	This battery pack contains hazardous substances such as nickel and cobalt that are hermetically sealed.  These components are generally safe when sealed but can become hazardous if the battery is broken, burned, or improperly disposed of.
Extinguishing Agent:	H2O, CO2
Critical raw materials present in the battery in a concentration of more than 0.1 % weight by weight:	Nickel (Ni) – 38.3% Lanthanum (La) – 11.6% Cobalt (Co) – 5.6% Copper (Cu) – 5.5% Manganese powder – 1.8% Lithium – 0.9%

EU Declaration of Conformity: 

EU Declaration of Conformity for Nova-Strobe NiMH Battery Pack

Prevention and Management of Waste Batteries:

In accordance with European Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, commonly known as the Batteries Regulation, Article 74, the sections below focus on the prevention and management of waste batteries outlining key measures to ensure sustainable practices by informing end users how to contribute to waste prevention including collection, disposal, safety, and environmental impact.

1. Role of end-users in contributing to waste prevention:

End users play an important role in preventing waste from batteries. By extending battery life through proper care, repurposing batteries if possible, and properly disposing of used batteries at designated collection points, users help reduce environmental impact and conserve resources.

a. Ways to extend battery life (waste prevention):

• Use batteries only for their intended purpose.
• Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, or mechanical damage.
• Only use chargers, adapters or charging stations classified as suitable by the manufacturer for the respective battery type and product.
• Do not store batteries at low states of charge and avoid total discharge.
• Recharge batteries at least every three months to keep the battery capacity stable.

b. Proper Disposal and Recycling:

• End-users must discard their waste batteries separately from other waste streams making sure they are not mixed with municipal waste or other waste streams.  Never place batteries in regular household trash or recycling bins.
• Waste batteries should be discarded in designated separate collection points set up in the country of use.  Utilize specialized recycling locations or local hazardous waste facilities.
• Before recycling used batteries, make sure to effectively insulate exposed terminals to prevent short circuiting.
• NiMH batteries are generally not considered dangerous goods but make sure to follow local regulations for packaging and transportation.
• According to IATA, Nickel-metal hydride batteries may be shipped by air transport. The batteries are considered “Not Restricted” provided that the shipper complies with the requirements of Special Provision A199.

c. Reuse and Information:

• Before discarding, run the batteries through multiple charge/discharge cycles to try to recover capacity.
• Learn more about the importance of preventing battery waste by consulting your local compliance regulatory body (i.e. CDCNPA in Italy) or Producer Responsibility Organization (i.e. European Recycling Program-ERP). 

2. Role of end-users in contributing to the separate collection of waste batteries:

• End users are obligated to collect and dispose of used batteries separately from other types of waste, such as household waste. 
• Remove used batteries from the product and ensure they are properly recycled separately, rather than disposing of the entire device as a whole.

3. Collection and disposal of waste batteries:

• Separate collection enables proper treatment, recycling, and recovery of valuable materials and prevents environmental pollution.
• Use local return and collection points established for this purpose, e.g. at retail outlets, at treatment plants for old electrical appliances, at municipal collection points or via specially set up return and collection systems.
• Search online for a list of local battery recyclers or consult your municipal collection point or national collection scheme.

4. Safety instructions for handling waste batteries:

Waste batteries should be handled with care.  End-users should:

• Avoid crushing, puncturing, or dismantling batteries;
• Prevent short-circuiting by covering battery terminals;
• Never expose to heat or open flame;
• Store waste batteries in a cool, dry place prior to collection.

If a battery pack is damaged or leaking, wear gloves and eye protection. Clean the area thoroughly and place waste in a sealed container for proper disposal.  If skin or eye contact occurs, flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention if necessary.

5. Meaning of the labels and symbols on batteries:

Labels and symbols on batteries, packaging, or accompanying documents provide important information. End-users should consult these labels and symbols to understand proper use, handling, and disposal requirements.

This may include:

6. Impact of batteries on the environment, human health, and safety:

Batteries may contain substances that can be hazardous to human health, safety, and the environment if released. Improper disposal—such as littering or discarding batteries in unsorted municipal waste—can lead to soil and water contamination, fire hazards, and risks to people and wildlife.

a. Health hazards:

NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries are generally safe during normal use but pose significant health hazards if damaged, opened, or incinerated.  Examples of health hazards include:

• Skin Contact: Leaked electrolyte causes irritation, itching, and chemical burns. Nickel and cobalt compounds within the battery can cause skin sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis.
• Eye Contact: Direct contact with battery electrolyte can lead to serious damage, including permanent vision loss.
• Inhalation: Vapors from damaged or leaking batteries can cause severe irritation to the upper respiratory tract and lungs.
• Ingestion: Swallowing battery contents can cause serious damage to the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract.

b. Physical hazards:

NiMH batteries pose physical hazards primarily when damaged, short-circuited, overheated, or overcharged, leading to electrolyte leakage, venting, fire, or explosion. Examples of physical hazards include:

• Electrolyte Leakage: Damaged or overcharged batteries can leak a strong, corrosive alkali electrolyte (potassium hydroxide), which causes severe irritation and skin burns.
• Fire/Explosion Risk: Short-circuiting or exposing cells to temperatures above 212°F (100°C) can cause venting, fire, or explosion. Using improper or unmonitored chargers can also lead to rupture.
• Toxic Fumes: Burning or extreme overheating produces toxic fumes containing nickel, cobalt, and rare earth metals.
• Electrical Hazard: NiMH batteries can produce high currents (10-20+ Amps) if short-circuited, which can melt wire insulation and cause significant burns.
• Venting: Internal pressure buildup can cause cells to vent, releasing hazardous electrolyte vapor that causes respiratory tract irritation.

c. Environmental hazards:

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries present environmental risks primarily through improper disposal, leading to heavy metal leaching (nickel, cobalt) into soil and groundwater. Examples of environmental hazards include:

• Landfill Contamination: When tossed into regular trash, NiMH batteries can leak toxic, heavy metals like nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements into the soil and water over time.
• Corrosive Electrolytes: They contain strong alkaline solutions (usually potassium hydroxide) that can cause severe environmental damage and hazardous waste issues if the battery casing ruptures.
• Production Emissions: The manufacturing process, particularly the extraction and refining of nickel, has a significant carbon footprint and can cause pollution, even if it is relatively lower than some other battery types.
• Fire Hazard: Damaged batteries can release irritating, corrosive, and toxic gases if they catch fire.

Proper use, separate collection, and appropriate treatment help prevent the impact of these hazards and support the sustainable use of resources.

If you have damaged a battery or notice signs of a problem with a battery, stop using it and dispose of it immediately and adequately. If you have come into contact with battery materials, call for medical aid immediately. Use emergency call numbers or contact poison control centers as necessary.