Battery Certification Introduction | UL & IEC

In today’s rapidly evolving market, where technological advancements are shaping every facet of our lives, the need for stringent quality control and safety measures cannot be emphasized enough. The surge in demand for batteries, especially in applications ranging from portable electronics to electric vehicles, has ushered in a crucial aspect of product certification – battery certification.

Why battery certification is necessary

Definition of battery certification

The activity of a third party that can be trusted to verify that a product or service complies with a specific standard or other technical specification.

Battery certification is divided into compulsory certification and voluntary certification.

Purpose of battery certification

If an enterprise’s product has passed the product certification of the famous national certification body, it can obtain the “certificate of authentication” issued by the national certification body, and allow the certification mark to be affixed to the certified product.

This internationally recognized and effective certification method can enable enterprises or organizations to establish a good reputation and brand image through product certification. At the same time let customers and consumers to identify the quality and safety of goods through certification marks.

At present, governments around the world have established such a product certification system through the form of legislation to ensure the quality and safety of products and safeguard the vital interests of consumers. This has become a new international trade barrier.

National battery related certification

America

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
UL1642	Battery cell	Product Safety / Voluntary (unless a specific regulation incorporates the standard into its terms) / UL ETL cTUVus		Testing + Sampling + Quarterly supervision	UL2271 requires cells to have UL2580 certification, which is valid for a long time.
UL2580	Battery cell/Battery pack
UL2054	Secondary rechargeable battery pack
UL2595	Drive Tool Battery
UL2271	Light electric vehicle lithium battery
UL1973	Energy Storage Battery
Prop 65 (California 65)	All Products	Hazardous substances/Mandatory
CEC (California Energy Efficiency)	Charging system/matching charger test	Energy efficiency/Mandatory
DOE (U.S. Energy)
FCC part 15 subpart B	Battery	Electromagnetic Interference (Product Safety)/Mandatory/FCC			Long-term valid

China (CQC)

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
GB31241	Portable Electronics	Product safety/Voluntary		Testing + Annual sampling + Annual supervision	Valid for 5 years
GB/T36972-2018	Electric Bicycle	Product safety/Voluntary

Korea (KC)

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
KC62133-2020	Various types of batteries for power storage	Product Safety/Mandatory/KC		Type test + Factory Inspection	Based on CB to KC, long-term valid

India (BIS)

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
IS16046	Battery	Product Safety/Mandatory/BIS		Type Test + Products Registration	Valid for 2 years (renewable upon request)

European Union (CE)

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
EN62144 or EN50604-1	Battery packs (alkaline or non-acidic)	Product Safety/Mandatory/CE		Test	Long-term valid
EN15194 battery part+ISO13849	Requirements for the battery part in an electric vehicle	Product Safety/Mandatory			Long-term valid
EMC	Electronic product	Electromagnetic compatibility (product safety) /Mandatory/CE			Long-term valid
Rohs+REACH	Electronic product	Hazardous Substances/Mandatory/CE		Test	Recommended to be updated annually

Japan (PSE)

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
JIS C8712/C8714	Lithium batteries in the current scope do not include lithium batteries used in automobiles, electric bicycles, medical equipment, and industrial equipment.	Product safety/400Wh/L or more mandatory/PSE		Type test + Factory inspection	Diamond for the mandatory certification of the product logo, round for non-mandatory certification of the product logo, such as batteries, long-term effective

Saudi

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
IEC Compliant Standards	Batteries included	Product safety / Mandatory / SASO multiple forms of certification

Vietnam

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
QCVN101:2020	Including consumer digital batteries or battery packs	Product Safety/Mandatory /MIC Certification

Member States of the Customs Union

Country / Area	Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
Member States of the Customs Union	Reference CE/Russia. White Russia. Kazakhstan	Batteries included	Product Safety/Mandatory/EAC			Turned by CB, suitable for chargers

Russia

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
Reference IEC62133 & IEC619 60	Batteries included	Product Safety/Mandatory/Ghost-R			CB turn for battery products

Thailand

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
TIS 2217-2548	Portable consumer electronics (including batteries)	Product Safety/Mandatory/TISI certification			Long-term valid

Malaysia

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
MS IEC 62133:2017	Includes primary battery	Includes primary batteryMC certification			Valid for 1 year

Australia / New Zealand

Standard	Scope of application	Certification Categories	Certification Marks	Mode of Accreditation	Remark
IEC62133	Batteries included	Product Safety & EMC/Mandatory Certification/RCM		Type Test + Products Registration	Long-term valid
EMC

National battery standard system

The IEC standard is developed by the IECEE (International Electrotechnical Commission), and implemented by its accredited qualified organizations or third-party laboratories, currently the mainstream UL/CSA/TUV/SGS/Intertek/BV/Nemko.
IECEE Committee for the member states to develop a CB system, IECEE member states certification bodies to IEC standards based on the safety performance of electrical products for testing, the test results that CB test reports and CB test certificates, in the IECEE member states to get mutual recognition of the system.
The purpose is to reduce barriers to international trade arising from the need to meet different national certification or approval criteria.

UL (underwrite lab) is both the U.S. product safety testing and certification organization, but also the founder of the U.S. product safety standards.
Its ultimate goal is to get for the market with a considerable level of safety of goods, to ensure the safety of human health and property to contribute to the product safety certification as an effective means of eliminating technical barriers to international trade.
The UL system can be described as a system of access to two markets, including Canada.

The main certification standards and test items covered by Tritek products

EN/IEC 62133

Scope of application of the standard: This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for the safety performance of portable sealed secondary battery cells and batteries (packs) containing alkaline or non-acidic electrolytes (different from button cell batteries) for their intended use and foreseeable abuse.

Test items: Vibration testing, case stress at elevated temperatures, temperature cycling, external short circuit, self Drop Shock (Crash), Labeling and Packaging, Overcharging.

MSDS

Such as lithium cobaltate, lithium ternary, lithium iron phosphate (LFP)

Air and Sea Freight Certification

Single Cell Transportation 965IA, Code UN3480
Single cell/battery >20Wh
Multi-cell batteries >100Wh
Class 9 Dangerous Goods, Freighter Labeling

UN38.3

International transportation safety standards, applicable to all lithium batteries/packs containing lithium. If you need to apply for Dangerous Packaging Certificate, you need to apply for Dangerous Characterization report

Test item: Altitude simulation, Thermal test, Vibration, Shock, External short-circuit, Crush / Impact, Overcharge, Forced discharge.

High-risk test items of above: Thermal test, External short-circuit, Crush / Impact, Overcharge

EN15194

Scope of application: The rated voltage does not exceed 48V, the maximum cut-off speed does not exceed 25km/h, the maximum continuous power does not exceed 250W, and the maximum saddle height is at least 635mm, which only applies to private use and commercial electric assisted bicycles, and does not apply to unattended public rental electric assisted bicycles.

Regulatory requirements: MD Machinery Directive, Low Voltage Directive, RED Directive, WEEE Directive, RoHS Directive, Batteries Directive, EMC Directive, Technical Regulations EN 15194: 2017 & EN ISO 13849-1: 2015, REACH Chemical Regulations, Battery Transportation.

Battery Pack Testing Requirements:

EN 13849-1:2015 Functional Safety Certification, The safety-related components of the EPAC control system shall comply with the required performance according to EN ISO 13849-1 table 34 given in the level (PLrC)
Compliance with EN 62133 or EN 50604-1 test requirements
UN 38.3 International transportation requirements
EPAC and ESA shall fulfill the requirements of Appendix C ECM
Mechanical strength test: in accordance with EN 60068-2-75
Moisture resistance: in accordance with EN 60529:1991
Electrical connections shall comply with HD 60364-5-52:2011

UL2271

Scope of application: UL2271 is for lithium battery safety standards for electric vehicles, the whole vehicle certification of the new regulations UL2272 certification, UL2271 certification, these two standards cover the use of rechargeable batteries and charging system combination of electric power drive system on the balance scooter.

Test item: Electrical testing, mechanical testing, environmental testing, material testing.

Functional safety requirements:

Devices with primary safety features shall pass functional safety requirements, subject to one of the following standards:
UL 991 and UL 1998, CSAE 60730-1 , UL 60730-1, IEC 61508, ISO 26262-1, ISO 13849-1 and ISO 13849-2.

Battery Cells Requirements:

Lithium/nickel batteries to meet UL 2580/ULC-S2580;
Lead-acid batteries to meet UL 1989;
Sodium-based batteries to meet UL 1973.

ECE136

Test item: Vibration, Thermal Shock Cycling, Mechanical drop, Mechanical shock, Fire resistance, External short circuit protection, Over-charge protection, Over-discharge protection, Over-temperature protection (At least 3 battery samples for total test items)

Battery Certification Process and Precautions

UL Certification Process

1. Submission of company and product information by the applicant
2. Based on the product information provided, determine: UL standards, engineering costs of testing, time of testing, number of samples, etc.
3. Product testing (generally directly in the UL test, or UL authorized testing qualification of third-party laboratories)
4. If the test passes, UL will issue a test report and tracking service details (the test report will detail the test situation, samples to achieve the indicators, product structure and safety signs suitable for the use of the product, etc.). Follow-up service details include a description of the product and instructions to the UL regional inspector)
5. Factory audit, audit passes, the applicant is authorized to use the UL logo
6. Post-license supervision

Certification Application Information

Specification – product name, model number, specifications are consistent with the application form
Circuit diagram – bit number is consistent with BOM
Layout drawings, BOM lists – key parts lists, product structure drawings (UN certification is not required)
Instruction manual – corresponding to the language of the country or region, pay attention to the warning language requirements and font size requirements
Product labeling – Voltage and capacity labeling to meet the requirements of the battery indicator code, must correspond to the national language, pay attention to the size of the certification mark requirements. CB labeling examples are as follows:

Certification Sample Preparation

• Finalized samples as far as possible
• For UN testing, you need to consider disengaging the communication to facilitate the test.
• Consider preparing several unsealed, unglued samples.
• Have enough test ports and accessories, such as charging and discharging cables and chargers.
• The product should have the final shipping label (especially important for UN certification).

Certification	UN	EN62133	PSE	UL2054	UL2271	EN15194	CE EMC	FCC
Sample quantity	<100Wh 16 battery packs >100Wh 8 battery packs+30 battery cells	22 batteries, plus 55 cells if cells are not certified	35 battery packs	45 battery packs	22 battery packs	15 battery packs	2 battery packs	1 battery pack

UL certification auditing requirements

Requirements for factory inspection:
Before the first factory inspection, the factory should prepare the following documents for inspection:

• Company organization chart
• Quality control flow chart
• Production flow chart
• Product change flow chart or document
• QC personnel and key personnel training records
• Documents related to incoming material inspection (e.g. standards, work instructions, etc.)
• Process (production) inspection related documents
• Documents related to shipment inspection
• Equipment management related files (such as calibration certificates, equipment account, etc.)
• Non-conforming goods control

Annual Factory Inspection
The annual factory inspection requires the preparation of data and the process is basically the same as the first factory inspection, but the annual factory inspection must be carried out product consistency check, factories need to submit the required documentation for consistency check, the specific requirements of the factory inspection user manual.

Note: Most types of products are inspected at least four times a year, the inspector’s inspection is to ensure that the product continues to be consistent with the UL requirements, before you plan to change the structure or components of the product, please notify UL, for small changes do not require the repetition of any experiments, UL can quickly modify the rules of tracking service, so that the inspector can accept such changes. When UL believes that the changes affect the safety performance of the product, it is necessary for the applicant company to resubmit samples for the necessary tests.

UL certification audit content

1. Organization and quality system:

Quality department in the factory‘s position, responsibilities, work situation, personnel (QC personnel and key workstation practical knowledge and operation)

2. Incoming material inspection:

Inspection conditions (environment, equipment, measurement/calibration, personnel)

Stacking and labeling of goods to be inspected, qualified goods and rejected goods.

Implementation of incoming material inspection (operating instructions: including sampling standards, AQL levels, inspection methods and determination of evidence, personnel competence, test records, judgment and release, etc.)

Audit of suppliers

3. Warehouse:

Warehouse conditions (machine and parts)

Storage and labeling of parts and finished products, preservation and delivery of finished products

The process of receiving and dispatching materials, and the control of receiving and dispatching materials.

Inspection of BOM file (parts list)

4.Production process:

Operating instructions and personnel operation of important positions

Product identification and traceability

Handling of nonconforming products in the production process

Work instructions and original records of inspection personnel

5. Routine inspection:

Operating instructions, operation and test records

Measurement/approval of safety test equipment and records of routine function testing

6.Sampling inspection before shipment (final inspection)

Operating instructions for sampling inspection (sampling standard: AQL level and test method)

7. Equipment inspection:

Safety test equipment ledger

Approved methods and records for major equipment

Internal approval methods and records

8. Certified products consistency test (for annual inspection)

Whether to retain and be able to provide UL-issued CDF, photos and copies of certificates

Whether to retain and be able to provide records of conformance checks carried out within the factory

Arrangements for the production of certified products or in the warehouse to retain the pre-production of certified products

UL inspectors check with structural and photographic data for discrepancies or safety violations.

Precautions for UL certification

• When applying for UL certification, the applicant must find a third-party laboratory authorized by UL for processing
• Receiving the confirmation letter of passing the test does not mean that you have obtained the UL certificate. Please be sure to pass the factory inspection before shipping to the United States

In a world driven by technological innovation, ensuring the quality and safety of batteries is paramount. Battery certification plays a pivotal role in establishing credibility, safeguarding users, and enabling businesses to stand out.
As the industry evolves, Tritek’s commitment to excellence shines through its certified lithium-ion battery packs, offering a reliable source of energy for a dynamic future. Trust in Tritek for certified power that propels us forward with confidence.

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