What is a Lithium Ion Battery Certification

Lithium Battery Certification Guide

• Transportation Safety - UN38.3: For aviation, marine, and land transportation of lithium batteries. (Mandatory)

• Transportation Safety - MSDS Report: Material Safety Data Sheet. (Mandatory)

• International Standard - IEC 62133-2: Portable lithium battery safety. (Voluntary / cb certification)

• Chinese National Standard - GB 31241: Portable lithium battery safety. (Mandatory / CCC)

• Chinese Certification - ccc certification: Lithium battery packs, newly added in 2024. (Mandatory)

• EU Certification - CE certification: Sales in the EU market. (Mandatory)

• US Certification - ul 2054 / UL 1642: Sales in the US market. (Voluntary, but practically required)

• Japanese Certification - pse certification: Sales in the Japanese market. (Mandatory)

• Korean Certification - kc certification: Sales in the Korean market. (Mandatory)

UN38.3 Transportation Certification

UN38.3 is Section 38.3 of the "UN Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods", which is a test standard specifically formulated for the safety of lithium battery transportation. All lithium batteries must pass the un38.3 test before aviation, marine, and land transportation.

UN38.3 Eight Test Items

• T1 Altitude Simulation: Simulates high altitude and low pressure environments (24,000 meters altitude) to verify battery sealing performance.

• T2 Thermal Test: Alternating shocks of high temperature 72°C and low temperature -40°C to verify temperature adaptability.

• T3 Vibration: Simulates transportation vibration to verify structural integrity.

• T4 Shock: Simulates collision and shock with a peak acceleration of 150g to verify shock resistance.

• T5 External Short Circuit: External short circuit (resistance < 0.1Ω) to verify temperature rise control.

• T6 Impact / Crush: Mechanical impact and crush test to verify the risk of fire.

• T7 Overcharge: Overcharge to twice the voltage to verify thermal runaway protection.

• T8 Forced Discharge: Forced discharge to reverse voltage to verify safety.

IEC 62133 International Standard

IEC 62133-2 is a portable lithium battery safety standard formulated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and is adopted or referenced by most countries and regions globally.

IEC 62133 Certification Value

• International Mutual Recognition: Mutually recognized by CB scheme member countries; one test is globally accepted.

• Simplified Process: Can be converted into multi-national certifications such as CE, KC, PSE, etc.

• Brand Endorsement: International standard certification enhances brand credibility.

• Quality Assurance: Systematic testing ensures products are safe and reliable.

GB 31241 Chinese Standard

The new edition of standard GB 31241-2024 has been implemented in 2025, putting forward stricter requirements for lithium battery safety.

Comparison Between Old and New GB 31241 Standards

• Thermal Runaway Requirements:

• GB 31241-2014: Basic requirements.

• GB 31241-2024: Added thermal runaway propagation test, requiring no fire and no explosion.

• Overcharge Protection:

• GB 31241-2014: Overcharge to 1.5 times the rated voltage.

• GB 31241-2024: Strengthened overcharge protection logic, added protection redundancy requirements.

• Mechanical Safety:

• GB 31241-2014: Drop, vibration, shock.

• GB 31241-2024: Added nail penetration and crush test requirements.

• Environmental Adaptability:

• GB 31241-2014: Temperature cycling -40°C to 85°C.

• GB 31241-2024: Added high temperature storage and damp heat tests.

• Cell Grading:

• GB 31241-2014: Graded by energy density.

• GB 31241-2024: Refined energy grades, added requirements for large capacity cells.

• Labeling Requirements:

• GB 31241-2014: Basic labeling.

• GB 31241-2024: Added QR code traceability and safety warning labels.

Detailed Explanation of CCC Mandatory Certification

CCC Certification Scope

• Lithium Battery Cells: Not yet included.

• Lithium Battery Packs (Power Banks): Included (GB 31241 + GB/T 35590).

• Lithium Battery Packs (Other Portable): Included (GB 31241).

CCC Certification Process and Cycle

1. Application Acceptance: Submit product information.

2. Type Testing: 4 to 6 weeks.

3. Factory Inspection: 1 to 2 weeks.

4. Certification Issuance: 1 to 2 weeks.

• Total Cycle: Approximately 2 to 3 months.

• Cost: Approximately 5,000 to 15,000 USD.

Comparison of Certification Differences Among Countries

• China - CCC Certification: Based on GB 31241 + GB/T 35590. Mandatory certification, lithium battery packs newly added in 2024.

• EU - CE Certification: Based on Battery Directive + IEC 62133. Must comply with Battery Directive 2006/66/EC.

• USA - UL certification: Based on UL 2054 / UL 1642. Non-mandatory but has high market recognition.

• Japan - PSE Certification: Based on JIS C 62133. Mandatory certification, features circular pse mark.

• South Korea - KC Certification: Based on KS C IEC 62133. Mandatory certification, requires local testing in South Korea.

• India - BIS Certification: Based on IS 16046. Mandatory certification, requires testing in Indian laboratories.

Certification Strategy Recommendations

• Strategy 1: IEC CB Certification + Certificate Conversion (Recommended): First pass the IEC 62133 CB certification, then convert to various national certifications such as CE, KC, PSE, etc. Suitable for enterprises selling in multiple markets.

• Strategy 2: Single Market Certification: Directly apply for the corresponding certification according to the target market requirements. Suitable for enterprises focusing on a single market.

• Strategy 3: UL Certification + CB Certification: Prioritize UL certification for the North American market, while simultaneously applying for CB certification to cover other markets. Suitable for globalized enterprises.

Summary of Core Points

• Essential for Transportation: UN38.3 is a mandatory threshold for lithium battery transportation and must be handled in advance.

• National Standard Upgrade: The new standard GB 31241-2024 has been implemented, and enterprises need to complete the certification conversion as soon as possible.

• CCC Mandatory: Lithium battery packs have been included in the CCC catalog, strictly enforced starting from August 2024.

• International Mutual Recognition: IEC 62133 CB certification can achieve "one test, global access".

• Advance Planning: The certification cycle is 2 to 3 months, requiring advance planning to avoid affecting the product launch.