The 18th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2026) is entering the countdown period, drawing global attention to Shenzhen.Scheduled to be held from May 13 to 15, 2026, at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao’an), the event adopts the theme “Linking the Global Supply Chain · Empowering Green Energy · Driving the Future”. It gathers upstream and downstream enterprises across the industrial chain, serving as a debut platform for next-generation battery technologies and a global resource cooperation hub.

According to the organizer China Industrial Association of Power Sources, CIBF2026 will cover an exhibition area of 320,000 square meters across 14 exhibition halls, featuring dedicated zones for renewable energy, advanced materials, intelligent manufacturing and international exhibitors.Concurrent events include the 8th Shenzhen International New Energy Storage Technology & Engineering Application Exhibition and the 3rd International Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cell Technology and Equipment Exhibition.

Core Technical Highlights of CIBF2026

Debut of Next-Generation Battery Technologies

A major highlight of CIBF2026 is the centralized showcase of cutting-edge battery innovations.Solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and grid-forming energy storage will become industry hot topics. The fair will host a special forum themed Sodium-ion & Solid-State Batteries for Energy Storage, presenting the latest technological breakthroughs to the industry.

For solid-state batteries, multiple enterprises will release their latest R&D progress.From semi-solid to all-solid solutions, technologies achieving an energy density exceeding 550Wh/kg will debut collectively, along with the large-scale public disclosure of vehicle installation verification data for the first time.

For sodium-ion batteries, the industrial inflection point has arrived following the signing of the world’s largest 60GWh sodium-ion battery order. Exhibitors will display large-scale application cases of sodium-ion batteries in energy storage scenarios.

Battery Safety & Standard Compliance Become Industry Focus

The national mandatory standard GB 38031-2025 Safety Requirements for Traction Batteries of Electric Vehicles will be officially implemented on July 1, 2026. The upgrade of battery safety regulations has become a key concern for exhibitors and vehicle manufacturers.

For the first time, the new standard upgrades “no fire, no explosion” from enterprise technical reserves to mandatory requirements, imposing stricter criteria on thermal runaway propagation, nail penetration, extrusion, overcharge and other safety tests for power batteries.

Exhibitors are required not only to showcase performance upgrades but also to prove their products have passed or are capable of complying with the new national standard, driving strong market demand for battery testing and certification services.

The Value of Testing & Certification in the Industrial Boom

Passport for New Technology Market Access

Before mass production, emerging technologies such as solid-state and sodium-ion batteries require comprehensive safety and reliability verification.Existing standard systems including GB 38031 series, GB/T 36276, UN 38.3 provide a basic compliance framework. However, most manufacturers lack independent testing equipment and capabilities to complete full-item verification.

Accredited third-party testing institutions with CNAS qualifications provide full-process safety testing from cells to battery systems, helping enterprises:

• Verify design compliance in advance and fix defects before GB 38031-2025 implementation
• Shorten certification cycles with professional standard expertise and avoid repeated testing
• Obtain global market access via CB, UL, PSE and other international certifications

Exhibition-Driven Testing Demand Boom

As the global weathervane of the battery industry, CIBF triggers concentrated testing demand:Enterprises complete pre-exhibition product testing to support technology releases, and conduct post-exhibition compliance certification to fulfill newly obtained orders.This pre-show verification + post-show certification cycle makes May the peak season for the battery testing industry every year.

Testing Institution Introduction

Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd.

Specializing in third-party testing and certification for batteries and energy storage systems, the company offers professional technical support for CIBF2026 participants:

• Power Battery Testing: Full safety tests including thermal runaway propagation, nail penetration, extrusion and overcharge per GB 38031, UL 2272
• Energy Storage Battery Testing: Type testing according to GB/T 36276, UL 2580
• UN 38.3 Transportation Safety: Lithium battery air, sea and land transport safety testing
• International Certification: CB (IEC 62133), UL 1973, PSE (JIS C 62133) and other global certification services

Accreditations:CNAS (L13753, ISO/IEC 17025 & 17020), CMA (202019014977), IECEE (TL777), plus recognized qualifications from UL, TUV, CQC and Eurofins.

Meet Us at CIBF2026:Booth 16B056, Hall 16, Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center.Our battery compliance experts will share updates on new national standards for power banks and deliver one-stop global compliance solutions for exhibitors and buyers, supporting battery enterprises to expand global markets.

FAQ

Q1: When and where is CIBF2026 held?A1: May 13–15, 2026, Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao’an).

Q2: What is the implementation date and core updates of GB 38031-2025?A2: Officially effective on July 1, 2026.Core updates: Upgrade “no fire, no explosion” to mandatory rules; add stricter thermal runaway judgment criteria; strengthen mechanical safety tests such as nail penetration and extrusion. Pre-testing is strongly recommended for manufacturers.

Q3: Why should exhibitors complete battery testing in advance?A3: ① Provide authoritative test data for new technology launches; ② Achieve compliance before the new standard takes effect; ③ Obtain CB/UL/PSE international certifications to support overseas order delivery. CNAS-recognized reports are globally accepted.

Q4: What test items are included in UN 38.3 lithium battery transportation testing?A4: 8 core tests: Altitude Simulation (T.1), Temperature Cycle (T.2), Vibration (T.3), Shock (T.4), External Short Circuit (T.5), Impact/Crush (T.6), Overcharge (T.7), Forced Discharge (T.8). Full compliance is mandatory for air, sea and land transportation.

Q5: Are test reports from Guangdong Energy Storage Testing internationally recognized?A5: The laboratory holds CNAS (L13753) accreditation under ILAC/APLAC MRA mutual recognition agreements. Test reports are widely accepted across member countries and regions, supporting global market access.