GeiG Battery & Hazardous Materials Safety Policy (MSDS & Shipping) – v1.1

1.0 Purpose

1.1 We set safe handling, storage, shipping, return, and disposal rules for batteries and hazardous materials associated with GeiG products.
1.2 We ensure fast access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS) and clear routing for compliant returns.
1.3 Governing law and jurisdiction: England & Wales.

2.0 Scope

2.1 Applies to all GeiG devices, accessories, and service parts that contain or are packaged with batteries placed on the UK market.
2.2 Covers UK sales, support, returns, and logistics across air, road (ADR), sea (IMDG), Royal Mail, and courier networks.
2.3 Cross-links: Environmental / WEEE / RoHS Declaration (v1.1); Returns & Warranty (public); Customer Service & Complaints Policy; Product Safety & Certification Statement; Export & Trade Compliance (v1.0); Privacy Policy; Accessibility Statement.

3.0 Definitions

3.1 “Battery” includes lithium-ion/lithium-polymer (Li-ion/Li-poly), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and primary coin/button cells embedded in products.
3.2 “SDS/MSDS” means Safety Data Sheet per chemical safety law.
3.3 “DDR” means damaged, defective, or recall battery logistics requiring special handling.

4.0 Compliance Framework

4.1 We comply with UN Manual of Tests and Criteria UN 38.3 for lithium cells and battery packs and retain test summaries centrally.
4.2 We comply with IATA/ICAO (air), ADR (road), and IMDG (sea) dangerous goods requirements.
4.3 We comply with UK WEEE and Batteries Regulations and align with the Environmental / WEEE / RoHS Declaration (v1.1).
4.4 Integrated product safety: batteries in products are certified against applicable standards (for example IEC 62133-2; device safety per EN/IEC 62368-1).
4.5 Substances comply with RoHS and REACH.

5.0 Battery Types & Ratings

5.1 Chemistries shipped include Li-ion/Li-polymer, NiMH, and button cells embedded in devices; standalone consumer spares are not supplied.
5.2 Typical energy ratings are ≤ 100 Wh; packs exceeding this are not placed on the UK market unless expressly stated in product documentation.
5.3 Watt-hour ratings are declared on device labels or documentation where required.

6.0 UN Numbers & Shipping Descriptors

6.1 Batteries contained in or packed with equipment (rechargeable lithium): UN 3481.
6.2 Lithium-ion batteries shipped alone: UN 3480 (not used for consumer spares).
6.3 Primary lithium cells with/without equipment (if present): UN 3091 / UN 3090.
6.4 Correct lithium battery marks, Class 9 labels, and documentation are applied per transport mode and carrier.

7.0 SDS/MSDS Access

7.1 Customers and carriers may request SDS/MSDS via support@geig.co.uk; summaries may also be published on the Legal Hub where appropriate.
7.2 SDS/MSDS and UN 38.3 evidence are held centrally and furnished on request to carriers, marketplaces, and business customers.
7.3 Version control is maintained to ensure SDS/MSDS match the supplied cell or pack model.

8.0 Packaging & Marking

8.1 Batteries ship in UN-compliant inner packaging preventing short circuits, with insulated terminals and robust fibre outer cartons (see Environmental Packaging Policy v1.1).
8.2 Mandatory marks, labels, and shipper statements are applied as required.
8.3 Postal and courier restrictions apply; consignments not accepted by a carrier or Royal Mail will be refused or re-routed.

9.0 Carrier & Mode Rules

9.1 Air: IATA PI 965–PI 970 followed as applicable.
9.2 Road (ADR): consignments classified, packed, marked, and documented per ADR thresholds.
9.3 Sea (IMDG): DG declarations, stowage, and segregation instructions provided as required.
9.4 Royal Mail: UK postal restrictions are observed; certain returns may be prohibited.
9.5 Where requirements differ, the most stringent applies.

10.0 Damaged / Defective / Recall (DDR) Handling

10.1 DDR items are accepted only under an issued RMA with written instructions.
10.2 Customers must not ship swollen, punctured, overheated, leaking, or suspect batteries without explicit approval and a supplied return method.
10.3 On suspected thermal events: power down if safe, move to a non-combustible surface, isolate the area, and contact support@geig.co.uk immediately.

11.0 Returns, RMA & In-Warranty Swaps

11.1 Standard returns follow Returns & Warranty (public).
11.2 In-warranty swaps and returns are sent back as a complete product; loose cells are not requested from end users.
11.3 Improperly packed or declared consignments may be refused and safe return instructions re-issued.

12.0 Storage & Safe Use

12.1 Unless SDS states otherwise, store at 5–30 °C, ≤ 75 % RH, away from heat and direct sunlight.
12.2 For long-term storage, maintain 30–50 % state of charge and cycle every 3–6 months unless SDS specifies otherwise.
12.3 Use only approved chargers; do not crush, puncture, or incinerate; avoid charging on soft furnishings.

13.0 Take-Back & Recycling

13.1 Battery take-back is provided within device WEEE flows only; standalone consumer battery returns are not accepted.
13.2 Business customers may request bulk end-of-life collection for devices containing batteries; hazmat status determines routing.
13.3 Details are published in the Environmental / WEEE / RoHS Declaration (v1.1) and Customer Take-Back Instructions.

14.0 Incident Reporting & Investigation

14.1 Report safety incidents to support@geig.co.uk with photos, symptoms, and purchase details.
14.2 Triage occurs within 7 days; quarantine or inspection may be requested.
14.3 Material safety incidents are escalated to regulators and manufacturers where required.

15.0 Training & Supplier Controls

15.1 Staff handling batteries receive dangerous-goods awareness appropriate to their role.
15.2 Suppliers must provide UN 38.3 evidence, SDS/MSDS, conformity documentation, and ≥ 90-day Product Change Notifications (see Supplier Code of Conduct v1.1).
15.3 Document reviews, spot audits, and unannounced inspections may be conducted to verify compliance.

16.0 Consumer Guidance (Summary)

16.1 Keep devices ventilated and off soft furnishings while charging.
16.2 Stop use and contact us if swelling, odour, leakage, overheating, or abnormal noise occurs.
16.3 For air travel, follow airline rules; carry-on preferred for battery-containing devices; protect terminals from short circuits.

17.0 Prohibited Actions

17.1 No shipment of DDR items without written approval and an issued RMA.
17.2 No end-user disassembly or battery pack replacement unless stated in official manuals.
17.3 No use of third-party cells or packs not specified by GeiG.

18.0 Data & Privacy

18.1 Incident and logistics data are processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy and retained only as necessary for safety, warranty, and legal obligations.

19.0 Contact

19.1 Email: support@geig.co.uk.
19.2 Web chat: 24/7 via geig.co.uk.

20.0 Version Control

20.1 Version: 1.1.
20.2 Effective date: 30 September 2025.
20.3 Policy owner: Ian Mugray.
20.4 Linked policies: Environmental / WEEE / RoHS Declaration (v1.1); Returns & Warranty (public); Product Safety & Certification Statement; Export & Trade Compliance (v1.0); Customer Service & Complaints Policy; Accessibility Statement.