IEC 62619 is an international safety certification standard for secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial applications, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its full title is "Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries, for use in industrial applications." It serves as a core market access requirement for products like energy storage batteries and industrial vehicle batteries entering the international market. Its primary objective is to mitigate safety risks such as fire, explosion, and leakage during battery production, transportation, and use through rigorous testing, ensuring stable operation in industrial settings.

1. Scope of IEC 62619 Certification

This standard focuses on industrial-grade lithium battery application scenarios, explicitly excluding batteries for consumer electronics (covered by IEC 62133) and batteries for road vehicles (covered by the IEC 62660 series). It primarily covers two core scenarios:

• Stationary Applications: Backup power for telecommunications base stations, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), electrical energy storage systems, emergency power supply equipment, etc.

• Motive Applications: Power systems for non-road vehicles such as forklifts, golf carts, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), railway vehicles, and marine vehicles. Currently, many countries and regions including the EU, Australia, and Japan have adopted it as a fundamental standard for certifying power energy storage systems, making it an essential qualification for products entering global markets.

2. Core Test Items of IEC 62619

The certification testing covers four major dimensions: electrical safety, mechanical safety, environmental safety, and functional safety. The 2022 revised edition added several key requirements. Core tests include:

• Electrical Safety Tests: Overcharge test (1.5 times rated voltage for 7 hours without fire or explosion), Over-discharge test (capacity decay after recovery charging <10%), Internal and external short circuit tests (external short circuit surface temperature ≤150°C).

• Mechanical Safety Tests: 13 kN Crush test (no fire or leakage with 30% deformation), 1.2m height free fall test in six orientations (voltage retention >90%), Random Vibration test (3 hours, structurally intact without short circuit).

• Environmental Safety Tests: Temperature cycling from -20°C to +60°C (capacity retention rate ≥90% after 200 cycles), Thermal abuse test (includes thermal runaway propagation assessment).

• Functional Safety Verification: The Battery Management System (BMS) must comply with IEC 61508 SIL-2 level, featuring triple monitoring of voltage/current/temperature, and capable of cutting off the circuit within 200ms upon abnormality.

• 2022 Edition New Requirements: Enhanced Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing, refined thermal runaway propagation test, added hydrogen concentration monitoring, and detailed software safety evaluation.

3. Detailed IEC 62619 Certification Process

The certification follows the core model of "Type Testing - Factory Inspection - Certification Issuance." The complete process typically takes several weeks to months. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Application & Document Review: Submit application forms, product specifications, BMS schematics, circuit diagrams, and other documents to a qualified certification body (e.g., TÜV Rheinland, CNAS-accredited laboratory). Proceed to the next stage upon approval.

2. Sample Preparation & Submission: Prepare representative samples produced using mass production tooling as required by the certification body, ensuring they are identical to the actual products sold, and send them to the designated laboratory.

3. Full Item Testing: The laboratory conducts a series of tests covering electrical, mechanical, environmental, and functional safety, recording data in detail. Non-compliant products require rectification and re-testing.

4. Audit & Certification Issuance: The certification body reviews the test report, combined with the results of the factory quality control system audit. If compliant, the certification certificate is issued (valid for 5 years).

5. Follow-up Maintenance: Annual factory surveillance audits are required during the certificate's validity period to ensure ongoing production consistency meets standard requirements.

4. Core Value for Enterprises Obtaining IEC 62619 Certification

• Market Access Assurance: Meets the technical basis requirements for certifications like EU CE marking, Australian AS/NZS 62619, and Japanese PSE, directly providing access to markets in over 50 countries and regions.

• Customer Trust Endorsement: Passing this international-level safety "check-up" becomes a core screening criterion for project tenders and customer cooperation, enhancing competitiveness in high-end markets.

• Risk Prevention Upgrade: Mandates safety designs such as redundant protection circuits and pressure relief mechanisms, reducing the probability of product safety incidents at the source and minimizing post-sales losses.

• Domestic Market Advantage: Currently, large-scale energy storage tenders in China are beginning to reference the IEC 62619 standard. Early certification can secure an advantage in both domestic and international markets.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Is IEC 62619 a mandatory certification?

  • A: It is a voluntary certification, but it has become a hard requirement for international market procurement. Products without certification find it difficult to enter mainstream industrial application scenarios.

• Q: What core documents need preparation for certification?

  • A: The core includes the application form, product specification sheets (cell + battery pack), dimensional drawings, BMS design parameters, DFMEA analysis report, list of critical components, etc.

• Q: What is the difference from UN38.3 certification?

  • A: IEC 62619 focuses on safety during use, while UN38.3 focuses on transportation safety. Industrial lithium batteries for export typically need to meet both certification requirements.