1. Overview of the CB Certification System

CB certification (the Certification Bodies Scheme, i.e. the CB Scheme) is a multilateral mutual recognition system operated by the IECEE (IEC System for Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components). Officially established in 1971, it is one of the largest international mutual recognition mechanisms for conformity assessment of electrotechnical products.

The core mechanism of the CB Scheme is that National Certification Bodies (NCBs) of member states mutually recognize test reports and certificates completed in accordance with IEC standards. After obtaining a CB Test Report (CBTR) and CB certificate through a single test, manufacturers can apply for extended certification to NCBs of multiple member states without retaking full tests in each country. As of 2025, CB Scheme members cover more than 50 countries and regions.

Three Types of Participants in the CB Scheme

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2. Which Battery Products Are Eligible for CB Certification

The CB Scheme covers most categories of electrotechnical and electronic products, with batteries being an important component. According to the IECEE Product Category Rules (PCR), the main applicable battery types are as follows:

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Note: The specific applicable standards are subject to the latest PCR officially released by IECEE. The corresponding category and version of the product shall be verified during actual application.

3. Interpretation of Main Applicable Standards

3.1 IEC 62133-2 (Consumer Lithium-Ion Secondary Batteries)

IEC 62133-2 is the core safety standard for the safety performance of consumer lithium-based rechargeable batteries, applicable to portable sealed lithium-based secondary cells and battery packs containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. The current valid version is IEC 62133-2:2017, and the IEC TC 21 Committee is continuously advancing revision work. All applicants shall pay attention to version updates.

Main Test Items (Safety Category)

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3.2 IEC 62133-1 (Consumer Nickel-Based Secondary Batteries)

IEC 62133-1 applies to portable sealed nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium secondary batteries containing alkaline electrolytes. It shares a similar test framework with IEC 62133-2, but has differential requirements in overcharge, internal pressure, gas release and other aspects in view of the chemical characteristics of nickel-based batteries.

3.3 IEC 62619 (Industrial Secondary Lithium Batteries)

IEC 62619 applies to secondary lithium batteries in non-portable application scenarios, including lithium battery systems in fields such as stationary energy storage, industrial equipment, power tools and light electric vehicles. Compared with IEC 62133-2, IEC 62619 has significant differences in the following aspects: • Different use environment presets: IEC 62619 targets industrial scenarios, taking into account a wider temperature range and installation structures; • Thermal diffusion and thermal management: Puts forward stricter requirements for thermal management and thermal runaway diffusion prevention of large-capacity battery modules; • System-level assessment: Covers part of the safety assessment content for the Battery Management System (BMS).

3.4 IEC 61960 (Electrical Performance of Secondary Batteries)

IEC 61960 specifies electrical performance test requirements for secondary lithium cells and battery packs, including capacity nominal verification, cycle life assessment (capacity retention rate under charge-discharge cycles) and internal resistance measurement. This standard is usually used in conjunction with IEC 62133-2 or IEC 62619 to form a complete performance + safety test combination.

4. CB Certification Application Process

The overall CB certification process can be divided into the following steps:

Step 1: Confirm Applicable Standards & Product Category

Check against the IECEE product category directory to confirm the subcategory (SC) the product belongs to and the applicable IEC standard version, and identify whether there are National Deviations (NDs) in the target market.

Step 2: Prepare Application Materials

Commonly required technical documents to submit include: • Product specification (rated voltage, capacity, chemical system, dimensions, etc.) • Electrical schematic diagram and PCB layout (battery management system) • Bill of Materials (BOM) and existing compliance certificates for key components • Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) • Product label draft

Step 3: Submit to NCB & Conduct Testing

The applicant submits an application to the selected NCB. The NCB assigns the task to a qualified CBTL laboratory, which completes full testing according to applicable IEC standards and issues a CB Test Report (CBTR).

Step 4: NCB Review & Issuance of CB Certificate

After the CBTL completes testing, the NCB reviews the CBTR. After confirming that all test items meet the standard requirements, the NCB issues the CB Test Certificate. The CB certificate together with the CBTR constitute the core documents for subsequent extension applications.

Step 5: Extend to Target Market Certification (If Required)

Hold the CB certificate and CBTR to submit an extension certification application to the NCB of the target country. The target country's NCB reviews whether there are national deviation items and decides whether supplementary testing is required.

5. Extended Application of CB Reports: Conversion to Multi-National Certification

The mutual recognition value of the CB Scheme is reflected in the extendability of certificates. With a valid CB certificate and CBTR, you can apply for conversion to local mandatory certification from NCBs of multiple member states.

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About National Deviations

When accepting CB reports, each member state may put forward additional requirements based on IEC standards in accordance with domestic regulations, i.e. "national deviations". Typical cases include: • South Korea: Some electrical performance test parameters differ from IEC standards and must be supplemented at Korean RLOS institutions; • Japan: PSE has domestic additional requirements for abnormal tests of some batteries (such as high temperature + charging combination); • Europe: Under the CE-LVD directive, batteries for some application scenarios must additionally meet relevant content of IEC 62368-1.

Identifying and incorporating target market deviation items before applying for CB certification can avoid repeated work caused by a large number of supplementary tests during the extension application stage.

6. CB Certificate Maintenance & Change Management

6.1 Certificate Validity

The CB certificate itself has no fixed expiration date, but the following situations will trigger re-assessment: • Product design changes affecting safety performance (e.g. battery chemical system replacement, BMS circuit modification, housing structure change); • A new version of the applicable IEC standard is released, and IECEE officially sets the repeal date of the old version; • Changes to key components (e.g. cell supplier, protection IC model).

6.2 Handling of Key Component Changes

Changes to key components usually require submitting a change application (Minor/Major Change) to the NCB. The NCB determines whether supplementary test items are required based on the nature of the change: • Minor Change: Such as appearance and nameplate text changes, usually only requires document review without supplementary testing; • Major Change: Such as cell model change and protection board circuit modification, usually requires re-testing of affected test items.

6.3 Market Consistency Requirements

Products covered by the CB certificate must be consistent with the certified prototype (Manufacturing Consistency). Regulatory authorities of IECEE member states may conduct spot checks on products sold in the market to compare their consistency with the CB test report. Manufacturers shall establish a corresponding document management system to ensure the traceability of consistency between mass-produced products and certified prototypes.

7. Applicable Scenario Selection Between IEC 62133-2 and IEC 62619

This is a common judgment node in battery CB certification applications. The two standards are not completely mutually exclusive, but have clear applicable boundaries:

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8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the relationship between CB certification and CE certification? A: The two are essentially different in nature. CB certification is a test mutual recognition mechanism based on IEC standards, focusing on proving that the product has passed independent testing and meets IEC standard requirements; CE certification is a statutory mandatory requirement for entry into the EU market, based on EU directives (such as the Low Voltage Directive LVD, Radio Equipment Directive RED). The CB test report can be used as part of CE compliance technical documentation, but holding a CB certificate is not equivalent to completing CE certification.

Q: Can the same battery product apply for CB certification according to both IEC 62133-2 and IEC 62619? A: In principle, products shall correspond to the only applicable standard according to their actual application scenarios. IEC 62133-2 and IEC 62619 each have clear product scopes. For products across application scenarios (such as general-purpose cells used in both consumer devices and industrial applications), the feasibility of dual-standard application shall be confirmed with the NCB.

Q: What is the usual number of samples required for CB certification application? A: The number of samples is specified by the applicable standard, and varies for different test items. IEC 62133-2 usually requires several batches of cell or battery pack samples (some test items are destructive and require additional samples). The specific quantity is subject to CBTL assessment, and it is recommended to confirm with the laboratory before application.

Q: Can CB certificates be issued by overseas NCBs? A: Yes. Applicants can choose any IECEE-recognized NCB (including domestic or overseas NCBs) to submit applications, and the CB Scheme does not restrict the country of the applicant. The selection is usually based on the NCB's experience and testing capabilities for relevant product categories, rather than geographical location.

Q: What is the relationship between CB certification and UN 38.3 transport test? A: The two apply to different scenarios and cannot replace each other. UN 38.3 is a compliance requirement for lithium battery air transport and dangerous goods transport, based on the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods; CB certification (IEC 62133 series) targets product safety performance. In actual circulation, the two compliance requirements usually coexist: UN 38.3 targets the transport link, and CB certification targets product use safety. Some test items (such as vibration and low pressure) are required in both systems, but the test conditions and judgment standards are different and cannot be cited or replaced mutually.

9. Summary

The CB certification system, based on the multilateral mutual recognition mechanism of IEC international standards, provides a unified testing basis for battery products to enter multiple global markets. The safety test for consumer lithium batteries is mainly based on IEC 62133-2, while industrial/energy storage lithium batteries correspond to IEC 62619, with electrical performance assessment completed in conjunction with IEC 61960.

The main function of CB test reports and certificates is reflected in extendability: after holding a valid CBTR and CB certificate, applicants can submit extension applications to certification bodies of member states such as KC, PSE, RCM and BIS, and each country's NCB decides whether supplementary testing is required based on national deviations. When planning a multi-market compliance path, identifying national deviation items of target markets in advance and incorporating them into the test scope at the initial CB application stage helps reduce the workload of supplementary testing in subsequent stages.

This article is compiled based on IECEE official documents and IEC public standard materials. If relevant standards are revised, the latest version officially released by IECEE and IEC shall prevail.

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This article is compiled and published by Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. (www.gdestl.com). The content is for reference only, and specific compliance requirements shall be subject to official announcements of regulatory authorities and platforms.