The import of lithium energy storage batteries has become an industry hot spot, and lithium battery certification is one of the focuses of enterprises.
As a lithium battery expert work in the international business, we’re much clear about the lithium battery certifications.
In this article, we will explore a detailed compilation of the certification required for the import of lithium batteries, designed to provide valuable reference for enterprises.
I. Lithium Battery Certifications for International Shipping
UN38.3 Certification
- Overview: UN38.3 is a set of safety testing requirements established by the United Nations to ensure the safe transport of lithium batteries.
- Scope: Applicable to all types of lithium batteries, including energy storage batteries.
- Certification Period: Typically 2-3 weeks.
- Cost: Ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands of euros, depending on the testing items and certification body’s fee structure.
Air/Sea Transport Certification Report
- Overview: Products with batteries shipped from China (excluding Hong Kong) must be reviewed and certified by a dangerous goods certification authority authorized directly by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
- Importance: Ensures that the products meet the safety requirements for air and sea transport.
MSDS Certification (Material Safety Data Sheet)
- Overview: MSDS provides detailed safety information on handling, storage, and transport of hazardous materials, including lithium batteries. It ensures safe transport by complying with international shipping regulations.
- Scope: Applies to lithium batteries classified as hazardous materials. It’s required for shipping lithium batteries by air, sea, or land, and ensures that safety information is clearly outlined.
- Certification Period: Typically takes a few weeks to a month.
- Cost: Ranges from a few hundred to several thousand yuan, depending on product specifications.
II. International Standard Certifications
CB Certification
- Overview: Established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it facilitates international trade of electrical products and helps streamline certification across multiple countries.
- Scope: Energy storage batteries can apply, involving standards such as IEC62619, IEC62133, etc.
- Certification Period: 2-3 weeks for third-party organizations, 3-4 weeks for EU recognized bodies.
- Cost: Ranges from a few thousand to tens of thousands of yuan, depending on the product and certification scope.
III. Regional Market Certifications
UL Certification (North America)
- Overview: A mandatory safety certification for the U.S. and Canadian markets, focusing on the functional safety and thermal runaway protection of energy storage systems.
- Main Standards: UL9540A, UL9540, UL1973, etc.
- Certification Period: Varies from 2-3 months to 10-16 weeks depending on the standards.
- Cost: Ranges from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan, depending on product type and testing requirements.
CE Certification (Europe)
- Overview: A mandatory certification for entering the EU market, focusing on the safety requirements for batteries and battery systems.
- Scope: Energy storage batteries and systems.
- Certification Period: 3-6 weeks.
- Cost: Ranges from several thousand to thousands of euros, depending on product type and the certification body’s fee structure.
RoHS Certification
- Overview: RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a directive from the EU that limits the maximum concentration of six hazardous substances in electronic devices.
- Scope: Applies to electronic and electrical products in the EU market, including energy storage batteries.
- Certification Period: 1-2 weeks.
- Cost: Around 1,000 to 3,000 yuan.
REACH Certification
- Overview: REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) is an EU regulation requiring proof that products do not contain harmful chemicals.
- Scope: Products involving chemicals in the EU market, including chemicals in energy storage batteries.
- Certification Period: Varies greatly, from several months to over a year.
- Cost: Ranges from a few thousand to tens of thousands of yuan, depending on the complexity of the chemical substances.
KC Certification (South Korea)
- Overview: A mandatory certification in South Korea that ensures products meet the country’s safety, health, and environmental standards.
- Scope: Energy storage batteries and other products in the South Korean market.
- Certification Period: 1-2 months for CB to KC conversion, over 3 months for direct KC certification.
- Cost: Ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan.
VDE2510 Certification (German-Speaking Markets)
- Overview: A safety certification for energy storage batteries in German-speaking markets, covering electrical safety, battery safety, and electromagnetic compatibility.
- Scope: Energy storage batteries and systems.
- Certification Period: 2-4 months.
- Cost: Ranges from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan, including application fees, testing fees, factory audit fees, and certification fees.
JIS Certification (Japan)
- Overview: A Japanese Industrial Standard certification that ensures products meet Japan’s industrial and quality standards.
- Scope: Energy storage batteries and other products in the Japanese market.
- Certification Period: 2-3 months.
- Cost: Around tens of thousands of yuan.
SASO Certification (Saudi Arabia)
- Overview: A certification by the Saudi Standards Organization for imported products, ensuring that products meet Saudi Arabia’s standards and technical regulations.
- Scope: Energy storage batteries and other products in the Saudi market.
- Certification Period: 1-2 weeks.
- Cost: Around 1,000 yuan.
BIS Certification (India)
- Overview: A certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards, ensuring products meet Indian standards.
- Scope: Energy storage batteries and other products in the Indian market.
- Certification Period: 2-3 months.
- Cost: Around tens of thousands of yuan.
CEC Certification (Australia)
- Overview: A certification required for energy storage batteries and other products entering the Australian market.
- Scope: Australian market.
- Certification Period: 2-4 weeks.
- Cost: Ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan.
Appendix: Energy Storage Lithium Battery Certification Table
| Country/Region | Certification Project | Standard | Certification Target | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | EU Regulations | New Battery Law | All batteries | Mandatory |
| CE Certification | EMC/ROHS | Energy storage systems / battery packs | Mandatory | |
| LVD | Energy Storage Systems | Energy storage systems | Mandatory | |
| TUV mark | VDE-AR-E 2510-50 | Energy storage systems | No | |
| North America | cTUVus | UL 1973 | Energy storage systems / battery packs | No |
| UL 9540A | Cells / modules / energy storage systems | No | ||
| UL 9540 | Energy storage systems | No | ||
| China | Jianheng Certification | GB/T 36276 | Battery packs / modules / cells | No |
| CQC Certification | GB/T 36276 | Battery packs / modules / cells | No | |
| IECEE | CB Certification | IEC 63056 – Secondary lithium battery systems | No | |
| IEC 62619 | Industrial secondary lithium batteries | No | ||
| IEC 62620 | Industrial secondary lithium batteries | No | ||
| Japan | S-Mark | JIS C 8715-2:2019 | Cells, battery packs, battery systems | No |
| South Korea | KC Certification | KC 62619:2019 / KC 62619:2022 | Cells, battery systems | Mandatory |
| Australia | CEC Listing | — | Lithium battery energy storage systems (BS), lithium battery energy storage systems with inverter (BESS) | Mandatory |
| Russia | Gost-R | Applicable IEC standards | Batteries | Mandatory |
| Taiwan | BSMI | CNS 62619 | Cells, battery packs | Semi-mandatory |
| CNS 63056 | — | No | ||
| India | BIS | IS 16270 | Lead-acid and nickel-based cells and batteries for photovoltaic | Mandatory |
| IS 16046 (part 2):2018 | Energy storage cells | Mandatory | ||
| IS 13252 (part 1):2010 | Mobile power sources | Mandatory | ||
| IS 16242 (part 1):2014 | UPS products | Mandatory | ||
| IS 14286:2010 | Ground-mounted crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules | Mandatory | ||
| IS 16077:2013 | Ground-mounted thin-film photovoltaic modules | Mandatory | ||
| IS 16221 (part 2):2015 | Photovoltaic system inverters | Mandatory | ||
| IS/IEC 61730 (part 2):2004 | Photovoltaic modules | Mandatory | ||
| Malaysia | SIRIM | Applicable international standards | Energy storage system products | No |
| Israel | SII | Standards as specified in regulations | Home photovoltaic energy storage systems (grid-connected) | Mandatory |
| Brazil | IMMETRO | ABNT NBR 16149:2013 | Energy storage inverters (off-grid/grid-connected/hybrid) | Mandatory |
| ABNT NBR 16150:2013 | — | Mandatory | ||
| ABNT NBR 62116:2012 | Transportation | Mandatory | ||
| Transport | Transport Certification | UN38.3/IMDG Code | Energy storage cabinets / containerized storage | Mandatory |
Conclusion
Lithium battery certifications are essential for running a successful solar installation business. They ensure safety, efficiency, and customer trust, while helping you avoid legal and operational setbacks.
Aligning them with current regulations will ensure smoother, compliant installations. Keheng Energy, we have full certification for most of our lithium batteries category. Reach out us today！