As new energy energy storage products expand rapidly across the globe, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries including Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan have become key export destinations for lithium batteries. Products sold in these regions must bear the EAC (EurAsian Conformity) mark and pass certification in compliance with EAEU Technical Regulations (TR CU). This article systematically introduces applicable regulations, test requirements, application procedures and FAQs for lithium battery EAC certification, helping enterprises enter the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market efficiently.

1. Overview of EAC Certification

EAC certification is a mandatory conformity system implemented by the Eurasian Economic Union. It applies to all regulated goods manufactured, imported and circulated within EAEU member states. Products must obtain an EAC certificate or declaration before sales, and the EAC conformity mark shall be affixed on products and outer packaging.

1.1 Covered Countries & Market Scope

The EAEU consists of five member states: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. A valid EAC certificate allows free circulation of products across all five countries without repeated certification.

1.2 Applicable Technical Regulations for Lithium Batteries

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2. Test Requirements for Lithium Battery EAC Certification

TR CU 004:2011 is the core regulation for EAC certification of lithium batteries, covering two major categories: electrical safety and mechanical safety. Below are the 10 key test items:

• External Short Circuit Test: Simulate circuit short circuit to verify the effectiveness of protection circuits and prevent excessive temperature rise or fire hazards.
• Overcharge Protection Test: Continuously charge beyond rated voltage to confirm the overcharge cut-off function works properly.
• Forced Discharge Test: Discharge to extremely low voltage and keep loading to evaluate over-discharge protection and recovery performance.
• High Temperature Exposure Test: Expose batteries to 130±2°C environment to assess thermal stability and explosion-proof performance.
• Temperature Cycling Test: Cycle between -40°C and +85°C to check integrity of enclosures and seals under thermal stress.
• Vibration Test: Simulate vibration during transportation and operation to verify structural stability.
• Mechanical Impact Test: Inspect structural integrity under impact loads.
• Low Air Pressure Test (Altitude Simulation): Test airtightness under 11.6 kPa low pressure (equivalent to 11,500 meters altitude).
• Insulation Resistance & Dielectric Withstand Test: Verify insulation performance between live parts and outer enclosures.
• Drop Test: Check integrity of packaging and structure after dropping from specified height.

3. EAC Compliance Routes

EAC compliance is divided into EAC Certificate and EAC Declaration of Conformity. For lithium batteries, an EAC certificate issued by a third-party certification body is mandatory; manufacturer self-declaration is not acceptable.

3.1 Requirements for Certification Bodies

Applications must be submitted via official EAEU recognized notified bodies, mainly located in Russia (e.g. Rostest, SERTIKA) and Kazakhstan (KAZMEMST accredited organizations). Exporters from China must appoint a locally registered Authorized Representative within EAEU member states as the official applicant.

3.2 Certification Schemes

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4. 6-Step EAC Certification Application Process

Step 1 Product classification & regulation confirmation Confirm battery parameters (voltage, capacity, application) and verify applicable TR CU regulations (mainly TR CU 004:2011 and TR CU 020:2011).

Step 2 Select Authorized Representative & Certification Body Appoint a locally registered EAEU Authorized Representative and choose an officially recognized certification body.

Step 3 Prepare application documents Submit product specifications, circuit diagrams, safety instructions, QMS documents of manufacturing plant, and test samples (generally 8–12 units).

Step 4 Laboratory testing Complete all tests in designated EAEU laboratories in accordance with TR CU requirements and obtain test reports.

Step 5 Factory audit (for selected schemes) On-site factory inspection conducted by EAEU auditors for Scheme 3c and 4c, focusing on quality management and production control.

Step 6 Certificate issuance & marking After approval, the EAC certificate is issued and registered in the unified EAEU FGIS system. Affix the EAC mark on products before market launch.

5. Accelerate EAC Certification with CB Certificates

Manufacturers holding valid IEC 62133-2 CB certificates can reuse existing CB test data for EAC application, cutting repetitive tests by 40%–60%. The overall lead time can be shortened from 16–20 weeks to 10–14 weeks. Note: A few test parameters such as low air pressure and temperature range differ between IEC standards and TR CU, so supplementary tests for divergent items are necessary.

6. Five Key Compliance Notes

1. Multilingual Labelling: Labels shall use Russian for products sold in Russia and Belarus; Kazakh plus Russian for Kazakhstan. Mark product name, manufacturer info, rated parameters, instructions and warning statements clearly.
2. Qualified Authorized Representative: Chinese companies cannot apply for EAC directly. A legal entity registered within EAEU must act as the local applicant and take corresponding legal liabilities.
3. FGIS System Verification: All legitimate EAC certificates are registered in the EAEU unified FGIS database. Buyers and customs can verify authenticity via fsa.gov.ru. Confirm the certification body is officially registered in advance.
4. UN38.3 Supplementary Requirement: EAC certification does not cover transportation safety. It is recommended to apply for UN38.3 certification simultaneously to meet maritime and air transport regulations for dangerous goods.
5. Certificate Validity Management: The maximum validity period is 5 years (Scheme 4c). Initiate renewal procedures before expiry. Timely report any changes to product models, key materials or production facilities to avoid certificate invalidation.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is EAC certification mandatory? A: Yes. All regulated goods including lithium batteries sold in EAEU five member states must hold valid EAC certificates and carry the EAC mark. Uncertified products will be detained by customs or ordered to be removed from the market.

Q2: Can Chinese enterprises apply for EAC certification directly? A: No. The applicant must be a legal entity registered in an EAEU member state. Chinese exporters need to entrust a local registered representative to submit applications and assume legal responsibilities.

Q3: Can test reports for CE and EAC be shared? A: Direct mutual use is not allowed. CE adopts EN standards while EAC follows TR CU technical regulations, with different test conditions. Enterprises with CB certificates can compare IEC data against TR CU and conduct differential tests to accelerate the process indirectly.

Q4: What is the typical EAC certification cycle? A: The standard full process including testing, factory audit and certificate issuance takes 16–20 weeks. With CB data reuse, the cycle can be reduced to 10–14 weeks. Single-batch certification (Scheme 1c) takes less time as no factory audit is needed.

Q5: Can one EAC certificate cover multiple models? A: Yes. Product series with identical chemical composition and protection circuit but different capacities can be grouped under one certificate to reduce overall cost and lead time.

Contact Us

Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in testing and certification for batteries and energy storage products. We provide one-stop compliance services covering EAC, CB, CE, KC, UL and other certifications, with a professional team to track the whole certification process.

Disclaimer This article is for reference only and does not constitute certification commitment or legal advice. All operations shall comply with the latest official regulations and standards.