Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s largest consumer electronics markets and a major export destination for Chinese lithium batteries. In recent years, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) have tightened compliance regulations for battery products. Obtaining NBTC certification or TIS certification has become a prerequisite for lithium battery manufacturers to access the Thai market. This article introduces Thailand’s certification systems, test items, application procedures and key notes for enterprise reference.

1. Overview of Lithium Battery Certification Systems in Thailand

Two parallel compliance frameworks apply to lithium batteries in Thailand:

• NBTC Certification: Administered by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. Mandatory Type Approval is required for devices embedded with wireless communication modules (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE products with built-in lithium batteries).
• TIS Certification (Mandatory Industrial Standard): Applied to standalone lithium cells and battery modules. It follows TIS 2217-2548, which is technically equivalent to IEC 62133. Test reports are issued or recognized by TISI.

For standalone lithium cells and modules exported to Thailand, compliance with TIS 2217-2548 is required. For complete devices with wireless functions (such as wireless power banks and Bluetooth-enabled energy storage power supplies), both TIS and NBTC Type Approval shall be applied.

2. Comparison between TIS 2217-2548 and Major International Standards

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3. Core Test Items of TIS 2217-2548

In line with TIS 2217-2548 (equivalent to IEC 62133-2), lithium-ion batteries must pass the following 10 key safety tests:

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4. NBTC Type Approval for Products with Wireless Modules

Complete products integrated with wireless modules (Bluetooth BLE, 2.4G/5G Wi-Fi, NFC, LTE-M/NB-IoT, etc.) must obtain NBTC Type Approval before sale and use in Thailand.

• Applicant: Applications must be submitted by a locally registered legal representative in Thailand; overseas manufacturers cannot apply directly.
• Technical Documents: FCC or CE test reports can be used as supporting files; Declaration of Conformity in English or Thai is required.
• Test Requirements: Radio frequency parameters shall comply with NBTC frequency band and power limits (similar to Part 15 requirements).
• Marking Rule: The NBTC approval number shall be printed on products or packaging after certification.
• Cycle & Cost: Typical lead time is 4 ~ 8 weeks. Costs vary by product category; Type Approval for single modules is generally lower than CE certification.

5. Six-Step Application Process for TIS Certification

Step 1 Product classification & regulation confirmation Determine whether products are standalone lithium batteries (TIS 2217-2548) or wireless-enabled complete devices (NBTC Type Approval), and confirm if dual certification is needed.

Step 2 Select TISI-recognized laboratory Choose test bodies accredited by TISI, UKAS or A2LA. Many domestic laboratories are qualified to conduct tests per IEC 62133-2 corresponding to TIS requirements.

Step 3 Prepare samples & technical documents Submit test samples (5 ~ 10 units for cells/modules), product specifications, BOM, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and circuit diagrams.

Step 4 Conduct TIS 2217-2548 testing Complete all 10 safety tests and issue bilingual English/Thai test reports. Lead time: about 4 ~ 8 weeks.

Step 5 Submit TIS application to TISI The Thai importer or local representative submits applications together with test reports to TISI for review. Review period: about 2 ~ 4 weeks.

Step 6 Certificate maintenance & annual audit TIS certificates are generally valid for 3 years. TISI may conduct annual surveillance or random sampling; all test records shall be retained for inspection.

6. Five Key Compliance Notes

1. Thai Labelling Requirement: Products sold in Thailand shall have outer labels in Thai, including product name, specifications, manufacturer information and warning statements. Thai product descriptions are also mandatory for e-commerce listings.
2. Importer Liability: TIS certificate holders must be Thai importers or local agents. Overseas manufacturers cannot hold certificates directly; verify qualifications of local partners in advance.
3. UN38.3 Supporting Document: Lithium batteries exported to Thailand must comply with IATA/IMDG transportation rules. Prepare UN38.3 test reports together with TIS documents to avoid customs clearance delays.
4. Certificate Validity Management: TIS permits are valid for 3 years. Apply for renewal before expiry. Report any changes to product models, specifications or cell sources timely, otherwise the certificate will become invalid.
5. Combined Certification for Southeast Asia: For enterprises planning to enter Vietnam (TCVN), Philippines (BPS), Indonesia (SNI) and other markets, take IEC 62133-2 CB certificates as the core to realize one-time testing and multi-region certification, so as to cut repeated testing costs.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is certification mandatory for lithium batteries in Thailand? A: TIS certification is mandatory for certain lithium battery products, subject to the latest mandatory catalogue released by TISI. Even for non-mandatory items, major Thai distributors and e-commerce platforms usually require TIS permits or equivalent compliance documents, making certification an essential condition for market access.

Q: What is the difference between NBTC and TIS? Do products need both? A: NBTC governs radio equipment type approval, while TIS focuses on battery safety standards. They belong to different regulatory scopes. Pure lithium battery modules only require TIS certification; complete energy storage devices with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi functions generally need both TIS and NBTC. Clarify product definition and certification plan at the early design stage.

Q: Can products with existing CE or CB certificates be sold directly in Thailand? A: CE certificates have no legal effect in Thailand and cannot be used directly. Manufacturers holding IEC 62133-2 CB certificates can apply for data recognition with TISI to accelerate TIS approval, yet CB certificates cannot replace TIS certification.

Q: What are the typical testing cycle and costs? A: Full TIS testing and review take 8 ~ 14 weeks. The cycle can be shortened to 3 ~ 6 weeks with CB data recognition. The total cost for one model (testing + certification) is generally tens of thousands of RMB. Contact us for detailed quotations.

Q: What is the validity period of NBTC and TIS certificates? How to handle renewal? A: TIS permits are valid for 3 years, and NBTC Type Approval for 5 years. Initiate renewal procedures 3 ~ 6 months before expiry. Original test data can be reused if no major product changes occur, and the renewal process is simpler than first-time application. Re-testing is required if products are upgraded.

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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.