For manufacturers and exporters of energy storage batteries and industrial vehicle power batteries, an authoritative IEC 62619 test report has long evolved from a "technical recommendation" to a universally recognized "safety passport" for major global markets. It not only verifies product reliability under extreme conditions but also serves as a critical document to access international markets such as the EU, Australia, and Japan, and to qualify for bidding on large-scale projects.

01 A New Safety Benchmark: What is the IEC 62619 Standard?

The full name of IEC 62619 is Secondary Cells and Batteries Containing Alkaline or Other Non-Acid Electrolytes – Safety Requirements for Secondary Lithium-Ion Batteries for Industrial Applications. Issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it is an international standard specifically formulated for the safety of lithium-ion batteries in industrial applications.

The core of this standard lies in its systematic safety philosophy. Unlike earlier standards, IEC 62619 not only covers traditional electrical, mechanical, and environmental safety tests but also forward-lookingly incorporates functional safety assessment of Battery Management Systems (BMS) and the thermal runaway propagation test—a test to prevent fire spread within battery packs when an internal battery fault occurs.

The current latest and valid version is IEC 62619:2022, released on May 24, 2022. Compared with the 2017 edition, the new version sets clearer and stricter requirements for system functional safety (e.g., system locks), thermal runaway propagation test methods (e.g., the introduction of laser ignition), and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), which enterprises must attach great importance to.

02 Product Matching: Which Products Require Certification?

The scope of application of IEC 62619 is very clear: it applies to lithium battery systems for stationary and industrial motive applications in non-consumer electronics fields. It does not apply to road electric vehicles (governed by IEC 62660) or small portable electronic products.

The table below helps you quickly determine applicability:

In short, if your lithium battery products are used in the above commercial & industrial energy storage or non-road industrial power scenarios, an IEC 62619 test report is a fundamental and critical compliance requirement for entering international markets.

03 More Than a Certificate: Core Value of the Report

Obtaining an IEC 62619 report means far more than just passing a test—it brings enterprises multi-dimensional competitive advantages and risk protection.

Meet Mandatory Global Market Access Requirements

Against the backdrop of the global energy transition, many countries and regions including the EU, Australia, and Japan have adopted IEC 62619 or its corresponding regional standards (e.g., EN IEC 62619) as an important basis for market access of energy storage battery products. Without this report, products will struggle to legally enter these mainstream markets.

Secure the "Key Pass" for Large-Scale Project Bidding

Whether for overseas grid-scale energy storage projects or equipment procurement by large industrial enterprises, buyers generally list an IEC 62619 conformity statement as a mandatory qualification for suppliers in tender documents. This report is a direct reflection of technical strength and safety commitments, serving as an entry ticket for competing in high-end markets.

Reduce Safety Risks and Enhance Brand Reputation

The rigorous tests of IEC 62619 (e.g., thermal abuse, overcharge, thermal runaway propagation) are extreme validations of the battery system’s safety design. Passing the tests means the product can effectively control risks under extreme faults, which greatly reduces the possibility of serious safety accidents (such as fires) after market launch, protects the enterprise’s brand reputation, and avoids potential huge losses from recalls and compensation.

Drive Fundamental Optimization of Product Safety Design

The certification preparation process itself is an in-depth inspection of the battery system (including cells, BMS, structure, and thermal management). Pre-evaluation and test feedback from professional testing institutions help enterprises accurately identify design defects, improve product safety and reliability from the source, and achieve technological upgrading.

04 Key Test Items: What Trials Will Your Product Undergo?

IEC 62619 establishes a comprehensive safety assessment system covering from cells to systems, and from normal use to extreme abuse. The main test items can be categorized as follows:

Electrical Safety Tests

Simulate electrical abuse scenarios such as external short circuit, abnormal overcharge, and forced discharge to verify the effectiveness of battery protection functions.

Mechanical Safety Tests

Including drop tests (for products weighing less than 7kg) and shock tests, to evaluate the battery’s ability to withstand physical impacts during transportation, installation, or use.

Environmental Safety Tests

Mainly the thermal abuse test, which places the battery in a high-temperature environment to verify its thermal stability.

Core System-Level Safety Tests

1. BMS Functional Safety AssessmentEvaluate the software and hardware of the BMS’s voltage, current, and temperature monitoring and protection logic in accordance with the standard, ensuring its fault response meets functional safety requirements.

2. Thermal Runaway Propagation Test (Core Test)Trigger thermal runaway of a single cell in the battery pack through a specific method (e.g., the laser heating method recommended in the new version), and observe whether flames or high heat spread to adjacent cells. The battery pack must be under observation for at least 8 hours after the test, with no fire or explosion of the entire system allowed.

05 Efficient Certification Process Guide

Faced with complex and stringent standards, following a clear process and partnering with professionals is the key to success.

Step 1: Preliminary Consultation and Product Classification

Contact an experienced testing institution (e.g., Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd.), provide product specifications, technical drawings and other materials, confirm that the product is fully applicable to the IEC 62619 standard, and discuss all new requirements of the latest version (2022).

Step 2: Gap Analysis and Pre-Evaluation (Highly Recommended)

Before formal sample submission, an expert team conducts a pre-review of your technical solution. This step can identify potential non-conformities in BMS functional safety strategies, thermal management design, etc., in advance, avoiding high costs and long-cycle delays caused by formal test failures.

Step 3: Formal Testing and Full Transparent Progress Tracking

Prepare representative samples and send them to a qualified laboratory for a full set of tests. During this stage, professional institutions will keep you clearly informed of the progress and preliminary results of each test through an online system or regular reports, ensuring full process control.

Step 4: Report Issuance and Follow-Up Support

After all tests are passed, you will receive an authoritative IEC 62619 test report. Professional service institutions also provide support such as factory inspection guidance and technical document maintenance to help you establish a production quality system that continuously meets the requirements.

06 Our Advantages

In the highly demanding field of IEC 62619 safety certification, choosing Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. means you will gain:

Accurate Grasp of the Latest Standard Version

We have an in-depth understanding of the latest requirements of IEC 62619:2022, especially changes in functional safety assessment, new thermal runaway propagation test methods, etc., and can guide your product to meet the standard from the design source.

One-Stop Efficient Compliance Solutions

We provide full-process project management from preliminary pre-evaluation and formal testing to subsequent factory inspection support. We are familiar with the certification conversion requirements for multiple countries (from IEC reports to EU CE certification via EN standards), helping you efficiently open up global market access.

Customer-Centric Service Experience

We commit to efficient response and clear project timelines. Through a dedicated project manager and an online progress tracking system, we make the complex certification process clear, simple, and worry-free for you.

07 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the difference between IEC 62619 and IEC 62133 (the consumer battery standard)?

A: The two apply to completely different fields. IEC 62133 is for small batteries in portable devices such as mobile phones and laptops, focusing on basic safety. IEC 62619 is exclusively for large, high-energy battery systems in industrial energy storage and industrial vehicles, with more complex and stringent safety requirements (e.g., system-level functional safety, thermal runaway propagation test), focusing on the safety and reliability of systems under long-term and high-load operation.

Q: My product has obtained a report based on the old version (2017)—do I need to update it now?

A: If your target market or customers explicitly require compliance with the latest standard, or if your product has undergone major design changes, it is highly recommended to upgrade to IEC 62619:2022. The new version has significant updates in functional safety, thermal runaway propagation test methods, etc. Holding a new version report ensures your product meets the current highest international safety norms and avoids market access risks.

Q: How long does the entire certification process usually take?

A: The cycle mainly depends on product complexity and preparation. If the product has a solid foundation and sufficient pre-evaluation, it generally takes 8 to 12 weeks. If the product requires major design rectifications for the tests, the cycle will be extended. Choosing an institution that provides professional pre-evaluation services is the most effective way to control the total time cost.

For battery enterprises aiming to explore the global energy storage and industrial power markets, an IEC 62619 test report is not only a compliance document but also a touchstone for product safety design and quality management levels. Choosing a professional partner allows you to gain a competitive edge in the fierce international competition with reliable safety qualifications.