With the growing popularity of consumer electronic products today, batteries, as their core components, have direct implications for the quality of end products and user safety through their safety, performance reliability, and compliance. Battery testing and certification have become an indispensable key link for battery products to enter the market. This article comprehensively analyzes the testing and certification requirements for consumer batteries (including mobile phone batteries, laptop batteries, 18650 batteries, etc.), helping enterprises address global market access challenges.

I. Importance of Battery Testing and Certification

Battery testing and certification are not only a mandatory threshold for products to enter the international market but also an important means for enterprises to ensure product safety and enhance brand competitiveness. Battery products that pass authoritative certification can:

• Ensure usage safety: Certification tests verify the safety performance of batteries under abnormal conditions, reducing risks such as thermal runaway and fire.
• Comply with regulatory requirements: Avoid heavy fines, product removals, or even legal lawsuits caused by non-compliance.
• Enhance market competitiveness: Obtaining authoritative certification marks helps build consumer trust and expand market share.
• Smooth logistics channels: Necessary transportation certification is a prerequisite for the smooth customs clearance of battery products.

II. Common Types of Consumer Batteries

Consumer batteries mainly include the following categories:

• Mobile phone lithium batteries: Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries used in smartphones and feature phones.
• Laptop batteries: Battery packs for laptops, tablets, and other devices.
• 18650 batteries: High-capacity cylindrical lithium-ion batteries widely used in portable devices.
• Other digital secondary batteries: Batteries for digital cameras, camcorders, portable DVDs, CDs, and MP3 players.
• Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries: Rechargeable batteries used in low-power portable devices.

III. Certification Requirements for Major Global Markets

1. International Transportation Certification: UN38.3

Regardless of where battery products are sold, UN38.3 Certification is mandatory if lithium battery transportation (especially air transport) is involved. It is a compulsory safety standard for lithium battery transportation specified in the United Nations "Manual of Tests and Criteria for Dangerous Goods Transport".

UN38.3 test items include:

• T.1 Altitude simulation test
• T.2 Thermal test
• T.3 Vibration test
• T.4 Shock test
• T.5 External short circuit test
• T.6 Impact test
• T.7 Overcharge test
• T.8 Forced discharge test

The qualification criteria mainly require no disintegration or fire during the tests, and the effluent shall not be toxic, flammable, or corrosive.

2. Chinese Market Certification

• CCC Certification (China Compulsory Certification):According to Announcement No. 15 of 2025 by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA), the "Implementation Rules for Compulsory Product Certification - Portable Power Banks, Lithium-Ion Batteries and Battery Packs (Trial)" (CNCA-C09-02:2025) was officially implemented on August 15, 2025. The new version of the rules imposes stricter requirements for consumer battery certification:

  • Adjustment of certification mode: Changed to "type test + initial factory inspection + post-certification supervision".
  • Change of sampling method: Type test samples are now sampled by the certification body or laboratory from the production site instead of being submitted by the enterprise.
  • Process recording requirements: Enterprises and relevant institutions must conduct complete video recording simultaneously during sampling and testing.
  • Addition of factory inspection: Clarified requirements for key processes of production enterprises and added on-site sampling testing at the production site.

• CQC Certification (Voluntary Certification): Applicable to battery products not within the scope of CCC Certification, such as lithium-ion batteries and battery packs for portable electronic products complying with GB 31241.

3. North American Market Certification

• UL Certification: The most important safety certification for the U.S. market. E-commerce platforms such as Amazon mandatorily require suppliers to provide UL test reports. Key standards include:
  • UL 2054: Standard for household and commercial batteries.
  • UL 1642: Standard for lithium-ion cells.
• FCC Certification: A compulsory electromagnetic compatibility certification by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Battery products must comply with FCC Part 15B standards.
• CTIA Certification: A battery certification program by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), mainly for mobile phone batteries, evaluating their compliance with IEEE 1725 standards.

4. European Market Certification

• CE Certification: A compulsory pass for products entering the European Economic Area (EEA). Battery products must meet the requirements of relevant directives under CE Certification:
  • EMC Directive: Electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
  • RoHS Directive: Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
• CB Scheme: A global mutual recognition system established by the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE). Based on the concept of "one test, globally accepted", it helps manufacturers quickly convert to multiple national certifications. Consumer batteries usually comply with IEC 62133 standards.

5. Certifications for Other Markets

• Japan PSE Certification: Strict requirements for lithium battery certification, especially the round PSE mark which is mandatory, complying with JIS C 8712 and JIS C 8714.
• South Korea KC Certification: Mandatory certification for portable secondary lithium-ion cells and batteries, complying with KC 62133.
• India BIS Certification: Mandatory registration requirement for battery products, complying with IS 16046.

IV. Typical Test Items

Testing of consumer batteries usually includes the following three categories of tests:

1. Environmental Tests

• Altitude simulation test
• Temperature cycle test
• Thermal abuse test

2. Electrical Tests

• External short circuit test
• Overcharge test
• Overdischarge test
• Rated capacity test
• Discharge performance test

3. Mechanical Tests

• Vibration test
• Mechanical shock test
• Crush test
• Free drop test

V. Battery Testing and Certification Process

Although specific requirements vary across certifications, the basic process is similar:

1. Pre-consultation and application: Confirm applicable standards and certification requirements for the product.
2. Document preparation: Prepare technical support documents such as product specifications, circuit diagrams, and lists of key components.
3. Sample submission for testing: Provide qualified samples to the certification body (Note: The new version of CCC Certification requires samples to be sampled from the production site).
4. Testing and evaluation: Laboratories conduct comprehensive tests in accordance with applicable standards.
5. Factory inspection (if applicable): The certification body conducts on-site inspections of the production factory.
6. Report review and certificate issuance: Review test reports and issue certificates upon approval.
7. Post-certification supervision: Conduct regular supervision and inspections of production factories to ensure continuous compliance.

Typical certification cycle: The test cycle is usually about 7 working days, and the certification service generally takes 4-8 weeks, depending on the type of certification.

VI. Our Service Advantages

As a third-party testing institution with multiple authoritative qualifications including CNAS, CMA, IECEE-CBTL, and UL, we have significant advantages in the field of consumer battery testing and certification:

1. One-Stop Global Certification Solutions

We provide full-process services from testing to certification, covering the access requirements of consumer batteries in major global markets, helping enterprises efficiently and quickly obtain international market access qualifications.

2. Professional Technical Team and Qualifications

Our engineering team is well-versed in the technical characteristics of consumer batteries and the certification requirements of various countries, capable of providing accurate pre-test evaluations and problem-solving solutions to ensure a smooth and efficient certification process.

3. Efficient Project Management and Timeliness Guarantee

We provide efficient and orderly test process management to ensure projects are completed on time. With rich experience, we can predict and avoid potential risks during the certification process, improving the pass rate.

4. End-to-End One-on-One Service

From application to certification, we provide end-to-end one-on-one technical support, assisting enterprises in preparing technical documents and guiding sample preparation to ensure the smooth progress of the certification process.

Testing and certification of consumer batteries is a complex but crucial process. Faced with different regulations and requirements in various markets, especially the new version of CCC Certification rules implemented on August 15, 2025, choosing an experienced certification partner is essential. A correct certification strategy not only ensures compliant product launch but also serves as an effective way to enhance product competitiveness and gain market trust.

If you have any questions about consumer battery testing and certification or need to handle related services, please feel free to contact Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd.! Our professional team will provide you with detailed technical consulting and personalized certification solutions, escorting your products to successfully enter the global market.