“Our portable power stations were selling incredibly well on Amazon—until we got a platform notice demanding a UL62368 test report within 30 days, or permanent delisting,” recalled the e-commerce director of a Shenzhen-based portable power station manufacturer. “That’s when we realized: without this ‘safety passport’, the business can’t last.”

If you plan to sell portable power stations (also known as outdoor power banks) in North American markets such as the US and Canada, or via mainstream e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Walmart, a UL62368 test report has become a mandatory threshold you must cross. This report is not only an authoritative proof of product safety, but also the core “passport” to unlock the North American market.

01 Standard Interpretation: What is UL62368?

UL62368-1 is a safety standard for audio-visual, information and communication technology (AV/ICT) equipment developed based on the principles of Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE). It has replaced the previous UL 60950-1 (IT equipment safety) and UL 60065 (audio-visual equipment safety), evolving into a more modern, flexible and unified safety requirement framework.

Core Features & Latest Updates

• Advanced hazard-based concept: Instead of rigidly prescribing specific tests, the standard identifies potential energy sources in products (e.g., electrical, thermal, mechanical energy), assesses the injury risks they may pose, and mandates corresponding safety protection measures accordingly—making it highly adaptable to new technologies.
• Applicable to portable power stations: While UL62368-1 has a broad scope, for products with complex systems such as batteries, inverters and charging circuits (e.g., portable power stations), electrical energy hazard assessment is the focus, with dedicated safety considerations in the standard.
• Latest standard version: The current latest version is UL62368-1:2023 (4th Edition). Compared with the old version, the new edition includes important updates and stricter requirements for battery safety assessment, insulating material specifications and component recognition—manufacturers must pay special attention to these changes.

02 Applicable Products: Do You Need UL62368 for Your Power Station?

The UL62368 standard applies to all types of AV/ICT equipment. For the portable power station industry, it typically refers to rechargeable portable power stations with AC/DC output, inversion function and integrated energy storage.

Specifically, products with the following characteristics usually require a UL62368 test report:

• Product type: Portable power stations, outdoor power banks, backup power supplies (usually non-fixed equipment movable by a single person).
• Key functions: Built-in lithium-ion/lead-acid batteries, AC inverter output (e.g., 110V/220V), DC output (e.g., 12V car charger port, USB ports), solar charging capability, etc.

Important Standard Distinctions

It is critical to distinguish UL62368 from other relevant standards to avoid misalignment:

• Pure high-power power banks (without AC inversion) may comply with UL2056.
• Large fixed energy storage systems may fall under UL 9540 or other standards.
• Products with additional car jump-start functions may need to meet UL2743 simultaneously.

Always confirm the specific applicable standard with a professional testing institution before application.

03 Why It’s Mandatory: Three Core Drivers

Obtaining a UL62368 report has shifted from an “option” to a “must-have”, driven by three key factors:

1. De Facto Mandatory Requirement for North American Market Access

While UL certification is a voluntary system in the US, safety certifications from OSHA-recognized NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) (e.g., UL) are a de facto mandatory requirement for most retail, distribution and government procurement channels. In addition, local regulations (e.g., in New York City) have introduced explicit fire safety certification requirements for lithium-battery-powered electronic products due to frequent fire incidents.

2. Mandatory Listing Criterion for Mainstream E-Commerce Platforms

This is the most direct and universal requirement. Major platforms including Amazon, Walmart and eBay have explicitly listed the UL62368 test report (or UL certification) as a mandatory audit document for listing portable power stations. Without it, products cannot be listed or will be immediately delisted.

3. Enhance Product Competitiveness & Brand Reputation

• Risk mitigation: Rigorous UL testing identifies and rectifies design flaws in electrical, mechanical and thermal aspects at the source, reducing after-sales risks and safety accident probabilities.
• Trust endorsement: The UL mark is a symbol of safety and quality for North American consumers. A UL62368 test report significantly boosts customer trust and serves as a powerful tool for product promotion and market competition.

04 Key Distinction: UL Test Report vs UL Certification

Many clients confuse these two concepts—understanding the difference is critical for cost and cycle control:

For most portable power station sellers on e-commerce platforms, a UL62368 test report issued by a qualified laboratory is sufficient to meet platform mandatory audit requirements—and is the most cost-effective compliance choice.

05 Full Application Process & Required Documents

Cooperating with a professional testing institution greatly simplifies the process. The key steps are as follows:

Process Overview

1. Consultation & Application: Contact the institution, provide product information, confirm test standards/items and obtain a quotation.
2. Contract & Payment: Confirm the quotation, sign the contract and make payment.
3. Sample & Document Submission: Send the specified number of complete samples and submit required technical documents.
4. Laboratory Testing: The laboratory conducts a comprehensive test in accordance with the latest UL62368-1:2023 standard.
5. Report Issuance: A formal UL62368 test report is issued after passing all tests. For non-conforming items, the institution provides rectification suggestions and retests relevant items after improvements.

Core Test Items

• Input testing
• Normal/abnormal temperature rise testing
• Dielectric withstand voltage testing
• Leakage current testing
• Mechanical strength testing (e.g., drop test)
• Battery system safety assessment (overcharge, short circuit, etc.)
• Inverter & charging circuit safety assessment
• Enclosure fire rating testing

Required Document List

• Product application form
• Product specification sheet (including model, parameters, electrical diagrams, etc.)
• Circuit schematic diagrams & PCB layout drawings
• Bill of Materials (BOM) for key components and their certification information (e.g., fuses, optocouplers, transformers)
• Product label/nameplate design draft
• English user manual
• Model difference description (if multiple models are applied for)

06 Cost & Cycle Analysis

Cost Factors

The cost is not fixed and mainly depends on:

• Product complexity: Higher power, more functions (e.g., multi-channel output, fast charging, APP control) mean more test points and higher costs.
• Battery capacity & voltage: The key factor affecting the complexity of safety testing.
• Laboratory selection: Quotations vary by institution based on authority, service quality and efficiency.

We recommend providing detailed product information for an accurate quotation.

Cycle Analysis

• Standard testing cycle: 5-15 working days, calculated from the receipt of samples and advance payment.
• Total project lead time: Reserve 3-4 weeks for the entire project, including document preparation, sample shipping and potential rectification time.
• Expedited service: Most institutions offer expedited service, which can significantly shorten the testing cycle for an additional fee.

07 Why Choose Us?

Faced with complex standards and tight launch timelines, choosing Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. as your partner gives you the following unique advantages:

1. Professional Focus & Forward-Thinking: We specialize in battery and energy storage product testing, with in-depth expertise in UL62368 and a profound understanding of portable power station characteristics and potential risk points—providing accurate pre-assessment and rectification guidance.
2. One-Stop Efficient Compliance Solutions: We assist you in handling multiple energy storage-related compliance requirements in one stop, such as FCC certification (wireless & EMC), California CEC energy efficiency certification and UN38.3 transportation testing—eliminating the hassle of coordinating multiple parties.
3. Timeliness Guarantee & Transparent Communication: We commit to a clear testing cycle, and a dedicated project manager plus an online progress query system lets you track project status in real time, ensuring your launch plan is not delayed.
4. Cost Optimization Suggestions: Based on your market plan (e.g., e-commerce only or offline channel entry), we recommend the most cost-effective compliance path (e.g., test report vs full certification) to avoid unnecessary expenses.

08 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does a UL62368 report have an expiration date?

A: The report itself has no fixed expiration date. However, e-commerce platforms generally prefer reports issued within one year. In addition, a major design change affecting product safety or a new mandatory version of the standard will require re-evaluation or retesting.

Q: We already have CE certification (compliant with EN62368)—do we still need a UL report?

A: Yes. CE certification is a mandatory requirement for the EU market, based on EN standards (harmonized with IEC standards). A UL report is based on US UL standards—these are two independent regulatory systems with different safety concepts, test methods and detailed requirements, and cannot replace each other.

Q: What if the product fails the test?

A: This is a common occurrence in product development. A professional laboratory will not only issue a non-conformity conclusion, but also provide detailed failure data, root cause analysis and practical rectification suggestions to assist your technical team in solving problems quickly until the test is passed.

Q: How to confirm if a testing institution has legal qualifications?

A: Request the institution to provide its ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation certificate and UL authorized laboratory qualification proof. You can also verify its qualification status via the UL official website or relevant accreditation body websites.

Q: Do I need to retest after product upgrades or modifications?

A: It depends on the nature of the change. Retesting or differential evaluation is mandatory if the change involves circuit topology, key safety components, enclosure materials, battery types or BMS protection parameters that may affect safety. We recommend consulting the testing institution before making any changes.

On the voyage of portable power stations exporting to North America, safety compliance is the ballast that determines how far you can sail. Obtaining an authoritative UL62368 test report is not only a key to passing platform audits, but also an in-depth tempering of product quality and a long-term investment in brand reputation. Choosing a professional testing partner lets your products win the initiative in global competition with a compliant and reliable posture.