Periodic battery replacement is essential to maintaining the compliance of many beacons with applicable standards. Those standards are set in order to maximise the likelihood of the beacon working in the adverse environments in which distress and emergencies often arise. Risks arise if batteries are replaced or repairs to beacons are carried out by someone other than the manufacturer (or its approved service centres). Only the manufacturer has the necessary equipment and technical information to carry out battery replacement or repairs and then confirm that the beacon continues to meet all applicable standards. In this regard it is important to note that the in-built test function on many beacons is not conclusive of the beacon’s ongoing compliance with all applicable standards. For example, battery replacement and other dismantling often affects the physical integrity of the case and seals protecting sensitive electronic components from adverse environmental conditions. For this reason, manufacturers are likely to disclaim liability for the performance of beacons that have had maintenance or repairs carried out by someone other than the manufacturer.