Check Before Buying - Lithium-ion Batteries

Aftermarket Batteries 

If you need a replacement battery or charger for your lithium-ion device, always purchase from the manufacturer. Lithium-ion batteries from third-parties such as unrecognized brands may be substandard, counterfeit or poorly manufactured, and can present an increased risk of fire. 

Transport Canada performed extensive lab tests on lower cost third-party lithium-ion batteries to see if they were more likely to fail safety tests than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) batteries. 

What Transport Canada found, was that HALF of all third-party batteries failed required safety tests. Some of these batteries even failed by exploding. 

  • These failed third-party lithium-ion batteries were found on several major online marketplaces. 
  • There may be no clear visual signs that a particular third-party lithium-ion battery is substandard, and there is a safety risk in purchasing these lower-cost, third-party batteries. 

How can you spot a substandard battery? 

  • Much cheaper than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
  • Often from an unrecognized brand 
  • Mis-aligned labels, labels with spelling mistakes
  • Labels may also be missing approved safety markers from the CSA, cUL, or cETL
  • Advertised specifications (voltage, amperage) may differ from the original battery

These tips about spotting a substandard battery should also be considered for charging cables that are used with lithium-ion batteries. A faulty charging cord can impact the safe use of a lithium-ion battery.