Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Extinguishers: CFA Announces Updated Marketing Guidance
The new lithium ion battery fire extinguisher guidance reported by the CFA gives Australian businesses a clear compliance checkpoint. The CFA News & Media release, published 29 September 2026, reports updated ACCC guidance on the sale and promotion of fire extinguishers. It also confirms that no Australian Standard currently tests or verifies extinguisher effectiveness on lithium ion battery fires. For FireFactory customers, the message is practical: review product descriptions, marketing claims, supplier statements and purchase records before an extinguisher is sold, quoted or promoted.
What the CFA lithium ion battery fire extinguisher guidance says
The CFA summary points to a specific gap in the Australian testing framework. According to the CFA News & Media release, no Australian Standard currently tests or verifies extinguisher effectiveness on lithium ion battery fires. That fact should shape how extinguishers are presented to fire companies, electrical contractors, retailers, facility managers and other B2B buyers.
The update is not a product approval. It is a marketing and sales compliance signal. Sellers should ensure that labels, catalogues, website copy, quotation notes, email templates and sales decks do not imply that a particular extinguisher has been tested, certified or approved for lithium ion battery fires when no applicable Australian Standard supports that statement.
This matters most where customers are making rapid risk decisions. A lithium ion battery incident can involve heat and smoke, so buyers may search for quick solutions. The compliance risk is highest when a supplier uses absolute language, such as “proven”, “guaranteed”, “tested”, “approved” or “the right extinguisher”, without verifiable evidence.
What battery extinguisher claims Australia must manage
The ACCC guidance reported by the CFA places the focus on how products are sold and promoted. For Australian businesses, the practical issue is that claims must be able to be supported. The new guidance makes it easier to identify the battery extinguisher claims Australia must manage. If a claim cannot be verified through an official source, an applicable Australian Standard, or documented manufacturer evidence that applies to Australia, it should be removed or rewritten.
High risk claim areas include:
- “This extinguisher is rated for lithium ion battery fires.”
- “This product has been tested on EV batteries.”
- “This extinguisher is approved for energy storage systems.”
- “This is the best extinguisher for lithium ion batteries.”
- “This product will stop thermal runaway.”
These statements can create a misleading impression even if the seller does not intend to mislead. A safer approach is to describe the extinguisher’s general purpose, maintenance status, placement role and intended use under its current documentation, then direct the customer to a fire safety professional for site specific advice.
| Claim area | Recommended review |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness on lithium ion batteries | Remove unless supported by a verifiable Australian Standard or official test evidence. |
| Product ratings | Only display ratings shown in approved product documentation for Australia. |
| Facility suitability | Use general suitability language and require site assessment for high risk areas. |
| Supplier statements | Keep a record of the source for every performance claim. |
Practical selection and purchasing considerations
Buyers should treat lithium ion battery fire preparedness as a system, not a single extinguisher decision. An extinguisher may be part of a wider arrangement that includes safe storage, isolation, ventilation, egress, alarm response, maintenance and staff training. The purchase decision should therefore focus on verifiable facts and practical suitability.
When evaluating an extinguisher for a commercial facility, buyers should ask:
- What is the product’s documented purpose and rating under current Australian product information?
- Does the supplier provide evidence for any performance claim being made?
- Is the extinguisher suitable for the intended location, access conditions and user group?
- Does the product have current maintenance, inspection and servicing records?
- Is the extinguisher part of a broader fire safety strategy, including detection, egress and safe handling?
For FireFactory customers, a useful procurement step is to separate “what the product is” from “what the product is claimed to do”. The product description should state the extinguisher type, size, service status and intended use. The risk assessment or fire safety advice should address the lithium ion battery exposure and any additional controls. This separation makes it easier to review claims under the new guidance.
Inspection, maintenance and facility planning
Even where marketing language is compliant, an extinguisher still needs to be maintained and placed correctly. Common failure points include expired service dates, blocked access, missing signage, incorrect location, damaged cylinders, and staff who do not understand how to use the equipment. These issues can reduce confidence during an emergency and create compliance exposure for the business.
Commercial facilities with lithium ion equipment should review:
- Extinguisher placement near likely ignition sources, while keeping egress routes clear.
- Access for users, including visibility, height, obstruction and lighting.
- Inspection and maintenance schedules, including service tags and records.
- Staff awareness of what the equipment is intended for and when emergency services should be called.
- Storage and handling controls for lithium ion batteries, charging equipment and damaged packs.
Facility owners should also document their decision making. If a supplier makes a claim, the business should be able to show the source, date, product details and the advice provided. This is especially important for retailers, electrical contractors, fire protection companies and property managers who pass product information to end users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the CFA announce about lithium ion battery fire extinguishers?
The CFA reports updated ACCC guidance on the sale and promotion of fire extinguishers. The announcement also states that no Australian Standard currently tests or verifies extinguisher effectiveness on lithium ion battery fires.
Can a seller say a fire extinguisher is tested for lithium ion battery fires?
Only if the claim is supported by verifiable official evidence that applies in Australia. Because the CFA says no Australian Standard currently tests or verifies extinguisher effectiveness on lithium ion battery fires, sellers should avoid unsupported testing, certification or approval claims.
What should buyers check before purchasing an extinguisher for lithium ion battery risk?
Buyers should check the product documentation, supplier evidence, intended use, maintenance status and placement plan. They should also seek site specific advice from a qualified fire safety professional rather than relying on a single product claim.
Does the new guidance ban selling fire extinguishers?
No. The guidance addresses how extinguishers are sold and promoted. Sellers can continue to provide extinguishers, but they should ensure claims are accurate, supportable and consistent with the product information available in Australia.
Where can fire companies find the CFA update?
The update is available through the CFA News & Media release, New guidance on lithium ion battery fire extinguishers. The release reports the ACCC guidance and the current status of Australian Standard testing for lithium ion battery fires.
Conclusion
The CFA update gives Australian fire safety suppliers a clear compliance checkpoint. With no Australian Standard currently testing or verifying extinguisher effectiveness on lithium ion battery fires, businesses need to review how they describe, market and quote extinguishers. The safest path is to use accurate product information, avoid unsupported claims and pair extinguisher supply with proper inspection, placement and professional advice.
FireFactory B2B support: FireFactory supplies fire protection equipment to Australian businesses and can help you review extinguisher selection, product documentation and compliant product descriptions. Contact our B2B team at FireFactory for product support and supply advice.