The CB Scheme established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) offers an efficient and convenient solution for battery enterprises to access the global market through its "one test, multiple country recognition" certification model.

Against the backdrop of the global green energy transition and the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry, the international market demand for battery products continues to grow. As a global mutual recognition system established by the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE), CB Certification (Certification Bodies Scheme) has become a key technical passport for battery products to enter the international market, effectively helping enterprises reduce certification costs and shorten product time-to-market.

I. Global Value and Influence of CB Certification

The CB Scheme is a global certification system managed by IECEE, currently covering 54 member countries and regions—including major economies such as South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Through unified testing standards and a sound mutual recognition mechanism, the scheme allows battery products to obtain recognition from numerous countries worldwide with just one test.

Battery products with CB certification can be easily converted to local certifications in various countries (e.g., South Korea’s KC certification), greatly simplifying the market access process. This not only significantly reduces enterprises’ certification costs but also shortens product launch time and improves market responsiveness.

II. Introduction to Relevant Standards for Battery CB Certification

CB certification for battery products is conducted in accordance with a series of international standards, with different standards applicable to batteries in different application fields:

1. Primary Battery Standard: IEC 60086

IEC 60086 is an international standard for primary batteries (non-rechargeable batteries), covering safety and performance requirements for various types of primary batteries, including alkaline batteries and zinc-carbon batteries.

2. Portable Device Battery Standard: IEC 62133

IEC 62133 is a safety standard for secondary batteries used in portable devices, applicable to batteries for portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. The standard is divided into two parts:

• IEC 62133-1: Applicable to nickel-based batteries (nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride batteries).
• IEC 62133-2: Applicable to lithium-based batteries (lithium-ion, lithium-polymer batteries).

3. Industrial Energy Storage Battery Standard: IEC 62619

IEC 62619 specifies safety requirements for industrial energy storage battery cells and battery systems, primarily applicable to industrial fields such as stationary energy storage systems and backup power supplies for communication base stations. This standard places special emphasis on the functional safety assessment of Battery Management Systems (BMS).

4. Power Battery Standard: IEC 62660

The IEC 62660 series of standards applies to power batteries for electric road vehicles, including lithium batteries used in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). This standard focuses on the safety performance of batteries in high-power application scenarios.

III. CB Certification Process for Battery Products

The CB certification process for batteries mainly includes the following stages:

1. Application and Document Preparation

Submit an application to an IECEE-recognized NCB (National Certification Body) and provide product technical documents, including battery specifications, circuit diagrams, and a list of key components.

2. Sample Testing

Send samples to a CBTL (CB Testing Laboratory) for testing. The number of test samples varies depending on the battery type and test items, typically ranging from 20 to 65 samples.

3. Report Review and Certificate Issuance

The NCB reviews the test report; upon approval, a CB certificate is issued. The overall certification cycle usually takes 4–6 weeks, with the exact duration depending on the product type and the complexity of test items.

IV. Strategic Value of CB Certification

For battery manufacturers, CB certification holds important strategic value:

• Global Market Access: With a CB certificate and report, enterprises can quickly enter markets in over 50 countries worldwide, greatly simplifying the product export process and enhancing international market competitiveness.
• Cost and Time Optimization: By avoiding duplicate testing, enterprises can significantly reduce certification costs, shorten product time-to-market, and accelerate market responsiveness.
• Technical Capability Improvement: The certification process helps enterprises better understand international safety standards, promotes improvements in product design and production processes, and enhances overall technical capabilities.
• Brand Image Enhancement: CB certification is an internationally recognized conformity assessment mark, helping to improve the brand’s international reputation and product image, and strengthening customer confidence.

V. Key Considerations for Selecting Certification Services

When choosing a CB certification service provider, the following factors are recommended for consideration:

• Institutional Qualification: Confirm whether the provider is an IECEE-recognized NCB with corresponding testing qualifications and capabilities.
• Industry Experience: Prioritize providers with extensive experience in battery certification.
• Service Capability: Evaluate the provider’s one-stop service capabilities, including testing, certification, and subsequent technical support.
• Global Network: Service providers with a global network can better support enterprises’ certification conversion needs in different countries.

As a "universal passport" for battery products to access the global market, CB certification not only helps enterprises break through international trade technical barriers but also serves as an important opportunity to improve product quality and technical standards. As global requirements for battery safety continue to increase, planning certification strategies in advance and selecting a professional and reliable partner will become key factors for battery enterprises to succeed in international market competition.

Through CB certification, battery enterprises can not only obtain access to global markets but also demonstrate the technical strength and safety quality of Chinese battery products to the world, contributing Chinese efforts to the global green energy transition.