As battery safety is a top priority for custom battery pack manufacturers, it’s crucial to ensure that lithium-ion battery packs are safe before they are distributed and used. To ensure battery safety, custom battery packs must meet a variety of battery safety certification requirements. Here, we’ll discuss the most popular lithium battery certifications: UN38.3, IEC62133, UL, CE, RoHS, and UKCA.
A Guide to The 6 Most Popular Battery Certifications
UN38.3 Certification
UN38.3 was created by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and is the United Nations’ standard that lithium batteries must meet if they are to be certified as safe to transport. The certification tests the batteries for a variety of safety hazards, including:
- Short-circuiting
- Overcharging
- Thermal runaway
- Mechanical shock
What does a UN38.3 certification include?
This certification includes:
- A UN38.3 lithium battery test summary
- An MSDS report
- An Identification and Classification Report for the transport of goods by sea
- An Identification and Classification Report for the transport of goods by air
What is the period of validity for a UN38.3 certification?
The UN38.3 certification is valid for one year. However, batteries may still be transported safely after the certification expires, as long as they are still in good condition. And it’s worth noting that the cost to update a battery’s certification is much less than the cost of completely redoing a certification.
What is the difference between UN3480 and UN3481?
| Specification | UN3480 | UN3481 |
| Lithium battery type | Single lithium ion batteries | Lithium batteries contained in or packed with equipment |
| Packaging requirements | Batteries must be individually packaged and packed in a strong outer packaging that is resistant to impact and vibration. | Batteries must be packed in a way that prevents short-circuiting and overheating. The packaging must also be labeled with the UN3481 classification number. |
| Transportation regulations | Batteries must be shipped in accordance with the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG). | Batteries must be shipped in accordance with the TDG, and the specific requirements of the mode of transport being used. |
What is the UN classification of lithium batteries?
All lithium batteries are considered Class 9, which means they are classified as Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods. The UN38.3 certification is a test standard that lithium batteries must meet in order to be classified as Class 9.
How many packing instructions are there in Section II of lithium batteries?
The UN38.3 certification outlines the packaging requirements for lithium batteries classified as dangerous items in Class 9.
Section II of the UN38.3 standard includes three packaging instructions:
PI65: This instruction applies to lithium batteries that are packed with equipment.
PI66: This instruction applies to lithium batteries that are packed together in a single outer packaging.
PI68: This instruction applies to lithium batteries that are packed separately in individual outer packaging.
The specific packing instructions required for a specific lithium battery shipment are determined by the kind of battery, the amount of batteries, and the desired mode of transportation.
IEC 62133 Certification
The IEC62133 battery pack certification is an international standard for the safety of rechargeable lithium batteries. The latest standard for this certification is IEC62133-2:2017 for lithium battery packs over 100Wh. This is the most widely accepted test standard for lithium batteries, and the certification tests batteries for a variety of safety hazards, including:
- Short-circuiting
- Overcharging
- Thermal runaway
- Mechanical shock
- Vibration
- External heating
- Impact
What does the IEC62133 lithium battery pack certification test consist of?
The IEC62133 certification process includes the following:
- Design recommendations
- Charging procedure for testing purposes for cells and batteries
- Continuous cell charging at constant voltage
- External short-circuiting of cells
- External short-circuiting of batteries
- Cell-free falls
- Battery-free falls
- Thermal abuse of cells
- Crushing of cells
- Over-charging of battery
- Forced discharging of cells
- Mechanical battery tests
If a lithium battery passes the IEC62133 tests, it can be considered safe for use in portable applications.
What does an IEC62133 certification include?
This certification includes:
- A CB test report
- An IEC62133 certification
What is the period of validity for an IEC62133 certification?
The IEC62133 certification is valid for three years.
UL2054 Certification
The UL2054 certification is a standard developed by the globally recognized certification company UL Solutions for the safety of household and commercial batteries. If a lithium battery is UL2054 certified, all of the components of that battery should also be certified by UL Solutions.
What does a UL2054 certification include?
The UL2054 certification includes the following elements:
- A test report that documents the results of the tests performed on the batteries.
- A certificate of conformity that states that the batteries meet the requirements of the standard.
- A marking that identifies the batteries as being certified to UL2054.
What is the period of validity for a UL2054 certification?
The UL2054 certification is valid for one year. However, as long as the battery is in good condition, it can still be considered safe to use after the certification expires.
What does the UL2054 certification test consist of?
The testing process for UL2054 certification typically includes the following steps:
- The batteries are inspected to ensure they meet the requirements of the standard.
- The batteries are subjected to a variety of tests, such as short-circuiting, overcharging, and thermal runaway.
- The results of the tests are documented in a test report.
- A certificate of conformity is issued.
- The batteries are marked with the UL2054 certification.
CE Certification
A CE certification assures that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and meets the EU safety, health, and environmental protection guidelines. This certification is required for any goods being marketed in the European Union.
What does the CE certification test consist of?
The testing process for CE certification can vary depending on the product and the relevant EU directives. However, it typically includes the following steps:
- The manufacturer identifies the relevant EU directives that apply to their product.
- The manufacturer assesses whether their product meets the requirements of the relevant EU directives.
- If the product does not meet the requirements, the manufacturer must take steps to bring it into compliance.
- The manufacturer may need to have their product tested by a third-party certification body.
- If the product passes the tests, the manufacturer will be issued a CE certificate.
What is the period of validity for a CE certification?
The CE marking is not a product certification, but rather a conformity assessment procedure. This means that the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that their products continue to meet the relevant EU directives throughout their lifespan. However, the CE marking is typically valid for a period of five years.
RoHS Certification
RoHS is a European Union directive. This certification guarantees that a battery pack is free from hazardous substances, minimizing the risks associated with exposure to these harmful materials. This helps protect human health during the production, use, and disposal of the battery pack. The directive restricts the use of ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment:
- Lead (Pb)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Chromium (VI) (Cr(VI))
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
- Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))
If your batteries are intended for sale in the European Union, they must be RoHS compliant.
What does the RoHS certification test consist of?
The testing process for RoHS certification can vary depending on the product and the specific hazardous substances that are being restricted. However, it typically includes the following steps:
- The manufacturer identifies the hazardous substances that are restricted by the RoHS directive.
- The manufacturer tests their product to determine whether it contains any of the restricted substances.
- If the product does contain any of the restricted substances, the manufacturer must remove them or replace them with a non-hazardous substance.
- The manufacturer may need to have their product tested by a third-party certification body to verify that it meets the requirements of the RoHS directive.
- If the product passes the tests, the manufacturer will be issued a RoHS certificate.
What is the period of validity for a RoHS certification?
The RoHS directive does not specify a specific length of time for which the certification is valid. However, most manufacturers choose to have their products recertified every three years.
UKCA Marking
The UKCA marking is needed because the United Kingdom left the European Union on January 31, 2020. As a result, the UK is no longer subject to EU law, including the CE marking. The UKCA marking is being introduced to ensure that products sold in Great Britain continue to meet high safety, health, and environmental protection standards.
What does the UKCA certification test consist of?
The testing process for UKCA certification can vary depending on the product and the relevant UK legislation. However, it typically includes the following steps:
- The manufacturer identifies the relevant UK legislation that applies to their product.
- The manufacturer assesses whether their product meets the requirements of the relevant UK legislation.
- If the product does not meet the requirements, the manufacturer must take steps to bring it into compliance.
- The manufacturer may need to have their product tested by a third-party certification body.
- If the product passes the tests, the manufacturer will be issued a UKCA certificate.
What is the period of validity for a UKCA marking?
The UKCA marking is valid for a period of five years.
Which Certifications Should I Obtain for My Batteries?
We covered in detail the six most recognized battery certifications. But which ones do your batteries require? Here are some factors to consider when deciding which certifications to obtain for your product:
- The intended use of the batteries: The intended use of your batteries will determine which certifications are most important. For example, batteries that are used in medical devices will need to meet different safety standards than batteries that are used in toys.
- The target market for the batteries: The target market for the batteries will also determine which certifications are most important. For example, batteries that are sold in the European Union will need to have the CE marking.
- The regulatory requirements in the countries where the batteries will be sold: The regulatory requirements in the countries where your batteries will be sold will also determine which certifications are most important. For example, batteries that are sold in the United Kingdom will need to have the UKCA marking.
In general, it’s a good idea to get as many battery certifications as possible. This will help ensure that your batteries are safe and meet the most important market requirements internationally. If you’re not sure what certification you need for your battery, reach out to a CMB representative today.
Price Ranges and Timelines for Battery Pack Certifications
Each type of battery certification has a unique price range and timeline, which is also influenced in part by the construction, capacity, and size of the batteries being tested. Below is an overview of the number of battery packs required for each test, the general price ranges for each certification, and the time required for each certification’s testing process.
| IEC62133 | UN38.3 | UL2054 | CE | RoHS | UKCA | |
| Packs Required | 10 packs | 10 packs | 60 packs | 2 packs | 2 packs | 2 packs |
| Estimation Cost | 650USD – 2000USD | 460USD – 925USD | 3850USD – 15000USD | 150USD – 200USD | 200USD – 300USD | 150USD – 200USD |
| Testing Time | 3 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 5-7 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 2- 3 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
Obtaining lithium-ion battery certifications is a crucial step in ensuring optimal battery safety for you and your consumers. By adhering to these international guidelines and obtaining the necessary battery pack certifications, you can rest assured that your batteries are safe and of the best quality. Looking for more information about obtaining battery certifications? Get the CMB battery certifications today. If you need the certifications for your custom batteries, we’d be happy to guide you through the process.
