Lithium batteries are listed in category 9 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Regardless of whether they are transported by air, sea or land, they must provide corresponding transport safety certificates. At the same time, entering different countries and regions also requires local compulsory product certification. For export enterprises, if certification planning is delayed, it often directly leads to delivery delays and even order loss.

I. UN 38.3: Prerequisites for all modes of transport

UN38.3 is a mandatory test standard established by the United Nations for the transportation of lithium batteries, including eight test items (T1 ~ T8): height simulation, thermal test, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact/extrusion, overcharge, and forced discharge. The battery or battery pack must pass all tests and obtain a test report, accompanied by a 1.2-meter drop test (for packages) and a shipping condition appraisal, in order to be able to book a cabin by air or sea.

It is important to note that the UN38.3 report is for a specific model, which needs to be re-evaluated or even re-tested once the cell, protective plate or structure has changed. It is recommended to start the test after the product is finalized to avoid repeated sample delivery.

II. IEC62133: International passports for product safety

IEC62133 is a safety standard for portable sealed secondary batteries, covering two levels of cells and batteries. The test content includes overcharge, overdischarge, short circuit, abnormal charging, free fall, thermal abuse, etc. This standard has been adopted or converted by the European Union, Japan, South Korea, China and other markets, and is one of the most common battery certification bases under the CB system. After obtaining the CB certificate, it can be easily converted into multi-national certification.

III. Access Requirements for Major Markets

  • EU:CE certification (Battery Directive 2006/66/EC and the new battery regulation EU 2023/1542) is required to meet environmental protection, labeling, recycling requirements, and gradually implement carbon footprint and digital battery passports.
  • US:UL 2054/UL 1642/UL 2056, etc., although not mandatory, are generally required by platforms such as Amazon and downstream brands.
  • Japan:PSE round or diamond certification requires a report from a registered testing agency.
  • Mr. Maged A. AbdelazizKC certified, requires local agent and factory review.
  • China:GB 31241 (Safety requirements for lithium-ion batteries for portable electronic products) is a mandatory national standard.

IV. Processing Cycle and Suggestions

If the battery cell has been certified, it usually takes 4 to 8 weeks for the battery pack to be certified; if the battery cell itself is not certified, the overall cycle may be extended to 3 to 6 months. It is recommended that enterprises determine the target market list at the project establishment stage, dock with qualified laboratories in advance, reserve sufficient certification cycles, and design compliance with reference standard requirements (such as creepage distance, protection circuits, and identification content) at the design stage.

V. Conclusion

Certification is not a "make-up procedure" before shipment, but a system engineering that runs through R&D, trial production to mass production. Prepend certification to minimize delivery risk.