Introduction

The global energy storage industry continues its rapid growth, driven by renewable energy adoption and grid modernization initiatives worldwide. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are being deployed at increasing scale across commercial and industrial facilities, data centers, telecommunications infrastructure, and residential properties. As installed capacities grow larger, so do the expectations for safety performance.

IEC 62619 stands as the internationally recognized safety standard for secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial applications. Published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it serves as a foundational reference for energy storage products seeking entry into global markets. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what IEC 62619 requires and how manufacturers can navigate the certification process effectively.

1. Standard Overview

IEC 62619 carries the full title "Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in industrial applications" and is developed and maintained by IEC Technical Committee 21 (Secondary Cells and Batteries). The current valid version is IEC 62619:2022, officially released in 2022 to supersede the widely used 2017 edition. The 2022 revision introduces significant updates in system-level safety requirements, BMS (Battery Management System) protection function verification, and thermal runaway propagation assessment — placing higher demands on manufacturers' technical capabilities and test resources.

⚡ Key Facts at a Glance

Standard Number: IEC 62619:2022

Issuing Body: IEC Technical Committee 21 (TC21)

Scope: Lithium-ion energy storage batteries for industrial and commercial use (cells, modules, systems)

CB Scheme Recognition: Accepted standard within the IECEE CB Scheme

China Equivalent National Standard: GB/T 36276 references the IEC 62619 technical framework

2. Scope of Application

IEC 62619 applies to lithium-ion secondary cells and batteries designed for industrial and commercial applications, covering the following typical deployment scenarios:

● Commercial & Industrial BESS — peak shaving, load shifting, demand response at factory or park level

● Residential Energy Storage Systems — home PV-plus-storage units, wall-mounted cabinets

● Telecom base station and data center backup power systems

● Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems

● Other stationary (non-portable) energy storage installations

The standard covers the entire product chain from individual cells to modules to complete battery systems. Portable consumer lithium batteries (such as those used in mobile phones and laptops) fall under the scope of the IEC 62133 series instead of IEC 62619.

3. Core Test Items

IEC 62619 test items are organized into four primary safety categories as summarized below:

Electrical Safety Tests

● Overcharge: Charging the battery beyond rated voltage limits to evaluate risks of fire, explosion, or electrolyte leakage.

● Over-discharge: Discharging the battery below the rated cutoff voltage to assess deep discharge safety behavior.

● External Short Circuit: Directly connecting positive and negative terminals at a specified ambient temperature to observe dangerous failure modes.

● Forced Discharge: Applying reverse current through an external power source to determine over-discharge safety boundaries.

Mechanical Safety Tests

● Vibration: Simulating continuous sinusoidal or random vibration during transport to verify structural integrity.

● Shock: Simulating instantaneous impact loads during shipping or installation to assess mechanical damage risk.

● Drop: Simulating accidental package drops to validate enclosure protection and internal structure integrity.

Environmental Safety Tests

● High Temperature Exposure: Exposing the battery to elevated temperature (typically +75°C or +85°C) for a defined period to detect leakage, fire, or deformation.

● Temperature Cycling: Subjecting the battery to cyclic high-low temperature conditions to evaluate thermal stress effects.

System-level Safety Tests (Key Update in IEC 62619:2022)

The 2022 edition introduces and strengthens requirements for BMS protection function verification, representing a core differentiator from cell-level tests:

● Overcharge Protection: The BMS must actively cut off the charging circuit when cell voltage or total voltage exceeds preset thresholds.

● Over-Temperature Protection: The system must trigger protective actions (power derating or shutdown) when battery or ambient temperature exceeds safe ranges.

● Communication Fault Protection: The battery system must enter a predefined safe state upon loss of communication between the BMS and host controller.

● Thermal Runaway Propagation: By triggering thermal runaway in a single cell, this test evaluates whether the event propagates to adjacent cells or throughout the module. This is a landmark addition in the 2022 edition directly affecting fire risk classification of energy storage systems.

4. Market Certification Requirements by Region

Energy storage products entering different markets must comply with varying local regulatory frameworks. The following table summarizes key standards and certification schemes for major target markets:

Note: The information above is provided for reference only. Regulatory requirements are subject to ongoing updates in each market. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified testing and certification body prior to exporting to any target market to ensure full compliance with current requirements.

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Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. (GDESTL) provides third-party testing services for energy storage batteries in accordance with IEC 62619:2022, covering cells, modules, and complete battery systems. Our services include:

● Full-category IEC 62619:2022 testing: electrical, mechanical, environmental, and system-level safety

● Issuance of third-party test reports supporting CB certification and other international compliance applications

● Pre-test technical consultation to clarify sample quantities and test planning

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5. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What products does IEC 62619 apply to?

IEC 62619:2022 applies to lithium-ion secondary cells and batteries intended for industrial and commercial applications, including commercial & industrial BESS, residential energy storage systems, telecom backup power, UPS systems, and other stationary installations. Safety requirements apply across the full chain from cell to system level.

Q2: What are the key IEC 62619 test items?

Core test items fall into four categories: electrical safety (overcharge, over-discharge, external short circuit, forced discharge), mechanical safety (vibration, shock, drop), environmental safety (high temperature exposure, temperature cycling), and system-level safety (BMS protection function verification, thermal runaway propagation testing). Specific test items and acceptance criteria vary by product level (cell/module/system).

Q3: What changed in IEC 62619:2022 compared with the 2017 edition?

Key changes in the 2022 edition include expanded system-level safety requirements, refined BMS protection function verification methods, newly added thermal runaway propagation test content, and harmonization with the IEC 62133 series. Manufacturers should adopt IEC 62619:2022 as their current certification basis.

Q4: Does IEC 62619 certification alone cover export to all markets?

While IEC 62619 is referenced by the CB Scheme and multiple national market access frameworks, most markets impose additional local regulatory requirements. For example, the EU mandates CE marking under the Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542); some U.S. states reference UL 9540/9540A; China requires GB/T 36276 national standards. A systematic, market-by-market compliance roadmap is strongly recommended.

Q5: Does GDESTL provide IEC 62619 testing services?

Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. (GDESTL) offers third-party testing services for energy storage batteries in accordance with IEC 62619:2022, covering cells, modules, and battery systems. Test reports are issued upon completion to support CB certification and other international compliance applications. For specific scope details and project arrangements, please visit www.gdestl.com or contact us.

Conclusion

IEC 62619 represents a critical safety benchmark for energy storage batteries entering global markets. As the energy storage industry scales up and technology evolves rapidly, achieving international safety compliance serves not only as a basic requirement for market entry but also as an effective means for companies to demonstrate product quality, reliability, and commitment to safety. For further information about IEC 62619 testing services, please contact Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. (GDESTL) at www.gdestl.com. Our team stands ready to provide professional technical support and services tailored to your project's specific needs.