Preface: This is the first edition of CAN/CSA-E61959, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes %mdash; Mechanical tests for sealed portable secondary cells and batteries, which is an adoption, with Canadian deviations, of the identically titled IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Standard 61959 (first edition, 2004-01). For brevity, this Standard will be referred to as "CAN/CSA-E61959" throughout. Scope: This International standard specifies tests and requirements for verifying the mechanical behaviour of sealed portable secondary cells and batteries during handling and normal use. Relevant national and International standards have been taken into consideration. This Standard provides test objectives, methods of tests and acceptance criteria relevant to sealed portable secondary cells and batteries of different electrochemical systems (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH and Lithium) sizes and shapes (cylindrical, prismatic and button).