Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Cease and Desist
Misuse of 18650 and/or 21700 lithium-ion battery cells
We are seeking the TVECA’s www.TVECA.com assistance in preventing future injuries in the vaping community and future sales of Samsung batteries in vape shops and elsewhere due to the serious risks and dangers of using these battery cells with e-cigarette devices, including fire or explosion that may occur when:
• 18650 or 21700 cells are carried in a purse or pocket and come in contact with metal objects such as keys or coins; and
• the insulating safety wrapper of 18650 or 21700 cells are damaged due to removing cells from a vaping device, recharging cells in a separate charger, and then reinserting cells into the vaping device.
Further, using a protective case is not sufficient to protect consumers from the risks of fire and explosion and bodily injury. There have been numerous reported injuries from consumers including severe burns and permanent disfigurement. Various lawsuits have been filed by consumers against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of 18650 cells. Additional safety information including videos can be found at https://be-cigarettesafe.org/.
Samsung never intended its 18650 and 21700 cells to be used as stand-alone, removable, rechargeable batteries to power e-cigarettes devices or to be handled directly by consumers. The cells are designed to be used in enclosed, safety-circuit protected and customized battery packs to provide specific types of power to devices like power tools and laptops.
Samsung expressly prohibits the sale and use of its 18650 and 21700 cells with e- cigarettes devices due to the potential risk of fire and explosion when the batteries are improperly used individually (outside of the intended safety battery-pack system) or improperly handled and/or stored in pockets, handbags, etc. We refer you to the SDI website for additional warnings and safety information at https://samsungsdi.com/lithium-ion-battery/safe-information.html.
4822-8736-9965.1
As indicated above, Samsung’s rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are intended to be used in a battery pack rather than individually. Moreover, Samsung specifically prohibits the sale of its battery cells for use in vaping devices. Samsung maintains its warnings and safety instructions for a reason. Using Samsung’s lithium-ion batteries outside of battery packs and in vaping devices is dangerous and subjects the user to possible serious physical injury.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is also warning consumers not to buy or use loose 18650 lithium-ion battery cells, mentioning these cells are manufactured as industrial component parts of battery packs and are not intended for individual sale to consumers. However, the CPSC warning states that these battery cells are being separated, rewrapped and sold as new consumer batteries, typically on the Internet. Therefore, CPSC urges not to use these loose 18650 lithium-ion cells that are separated from battery packs. CPSC explains that they are often misused as a stand-alone consumer battery, but do not have protection circuits. For additional information on high-energy battery safety, please visit:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Topics/Batteries/
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. hereby seeks your help in preventing future injuries and sales of Samsung batteries in vape shops and elsewhere. Specifically, we request the TVECA’s help to: (1) inform and warn the vaping community that Samsung’s 18650 and 21700 cells should NOT be used with vaping devices due to the risk of fire or explosion and serious bodily injury including when spare batteries are stored in pockets and handbags; and (2) warn vape shops that the sale of Samsung’s batteries is unauthorized and illegal and could result in bodily injury to its customers and subject vape shops to lawsuits and liability.
