Compliance Alert

Portable energy storage power stations have built-in high-capacity lithium-ion battery packs, classifying them as high-risk consumer products. Amazon has included such products in the scope of TIC Direct Verification management, requiring completion of compliance assessment against specified safety standards and third-party institution verification before product circulation.

1. Background Overview

Portable energy storage power stations (also known as outdoor power stations or mobile energy storage devices) are high-risk consumer products in terms of safety attributes due to their built-in high-capacity lithium-ion battery packs. Since 2024, Amazon has gradually included such products under the management of TIC (Testing, Inspection and Certification) Direct Verification (DV), requiring products to complete conformity assessment against designated safety standards and pass verification by qualified third-party institutions before being circulated on the platform.

This article sorts out the applicable standard system, core test items and compliance declaration framework for portable power supplies under the DV mechanism, for reference in product compliance design.

2. Definition & Product Classification of Portable Power Supplies

2.1 Product Definition

The core features of portable power supplies are: built-in rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium polymer battery packs, equipped with Alternating Current (AC) and/or Direct Current (DC) output interfaces, capable of powering electronic devices, small appliances or special equipment in environments without standard grid power. Products usually have charging input ports, and some models integrate extended functions such as solar charge controllers, car emergency jump starters and LED lighting.

2.2 Product Classification & Standard Application Comparison

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Note: The above standard application relationships are subject to the latest platform compliance policies, and shall be confirmed based on specific product specifications and design purposes during actual declaration.

3. Basic Principles of the DV Verification Mechanism

3.1 Definition of DV Mechanism

TIC Direct Verification (DV) is a mechanism where third-party testing, inspection and certification service institutions directly participate in the verification of compliance documents. Different from the traditional model where the declarant uploads test reports independently, the DV mechanism requires test reports to be verified by qualified third-party institutions for authenticity and validity before being deemed complete compliance materials.

3.2 Two Verification Paths of DV Mechanism

(Note: The original Mermaid flowchart has been converted to text description. For the complete flowchart, please refer to the original text or contact our company for technical documents.)

3.3 Regulatory Background Applicable to DV Mechanism

The DV mechanism itself is a platform-level compliance management method, with its underlying basis still being national product safety regulations: • US market: Based on the safety responsibility provisions for consumer products under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), importers or manufacturers must ensure products have completed conformity assessment against applicable safety standards before circulation • Canadian market: Based on corresponding requirements under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) • The qualification requirements for test report issuing institutions refer to the general provisions of ISO/IEC 17025 on testing laboratory capability accreditation at the regulatory level

4. Applicable Safety Standard System for Portable Power Supplies

Portable power supplies must meet two categories of requirements simultaneously: transport safety standards and product safety standards, as described below.

4.1 Transport Safety Standard: UN 38.3

Before cross-border transport, all lithium-containing products must pass 8 safety tests (T1～T8) specified in Section 38.3 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Manual of Tests and Criteria, and the testing institution shall issue a BTS (Battery Test Summary).

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4.2 Product Safety Standards

UL 2743: Standard for Portable Power Packs

UL 2743 (ANSI/CAN/UL 2743) is the core product safety standard for portable energy storage power supplies, with the latest version being the 2023 edition. This standard evaluates products from four dimensions: electrical safety, battery safety, mechanical safety and environmental adaptability.

Applicable product scope (UL 2743:2023): • Built-in lead-acid or lithium-ion battery packs • Weight not exceeding 18kg, or equipped with wheels for easy movement • Equipped with one or more input/output interfaces • May integrate extended functions such as car emergency jump start (max output voltage ≤24V), LED lighting, inverters (AC output), built-in air pumps, etc.

Non-applicable scope: Ordinary mobile phone power banks (falling under UL 2056 scope), electric vehicle charging equipment.

UL 2056: Safety Standard for Lithium-Ion Power Banks

UL 2056 applies to power bank products with small capacity and only DC output (mainly USB interfaces), with assessment focus on electrical safety, mechanical safety and fire performance.

IEC 62133-2 / IEC 62368-1

Some compliance paths allow the IEC standard system to replace UL standards, specifically: • IEC 62133-2: Safety requirements for portable lithium-ion batteries • IEC 62368-1: Safety standard for audio/video, information and communication technology equipment

5. Detailed Core Test Items of UL 2743

UL 2743:2023 sets test items from four safety dimensions, with core item descriptions for each dimension as follows.

5.1 Electrical Safety Tests

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5.2 Mechanical & Structural Safety Tests

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5.3 Environmental Adaptability Tests

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5.4 Battery System Safety Requirements

UL 2743 requires built-in lithium-ion battery cells of the product to pass certification under one of the following standards: • UL 1642 (Lithium Battery Cell Safety Standard) • UL 62133 (Portable Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Standard) • UL 2580 (Battery Safety Standard for Electric Vehicles, reference for some high energy density products) • UL 1973 (Stationary and Automotive Battery Safety Standard, reference for some energy storage products)

6. DV Verification Declaration Document Checklist

The following is the list of documents to be prepared for DV verification of portable power supply products. All documents must ensure authentic content, valid versions and consistent information.

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Note: Product models, technical parameters and warning contents in the above documents must be completely consistent, which is the basic technical requirement for document consistency verification in DV verification.

7. Compliance Path Differences by Product Specifications

7.1 Capacity Dimension

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7.2 Function Expansion Dimension

If the product integrates the following functions, corresponding assessments shall be added on the basis of UL 2743: • Car emergency jump start function: Safety of the starting circuit shall be assessed, and maximum output voltage shall be ≤24V • Built-in inverter (AC output): If the inverter has passed UL 1741 certification, repeated assessment can be exempted; otherwise, the inverter module shall be assessed separately • Wireless charging function: Wireless charging power shall not exceed 240VA (new restriction added in UL 2743:2023) • Solar charging input: Overcharge protection function of the charge controller shall be assessed

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the main differences between UL 2743 and UL 2056? A: UL 2743 applies to portable outdoor power stations with AC output (inverters), with test items covering four dimensions of electrical safety, mechanical safety, environmental adaptability and battery system safety, making the standard more comprehensive. UL 2056 only applies to small power banks, focusing on basic electrical safety and fire performance under USB/DC output conditions. The two have obvious differences in applicable product scope and testing depth, and cannot replace each other.

Q: The product has passed CB certification (IEC 62133-2). Can it be directly used for DV verification? A: No. CB certification is based on the IEC standard system, while DV verification in the North American market uses UL standards (UL 2743 or UL 2056) as the judgment basis. There are differences in test items and technical requirements between the two sets of standards (i.e. "national deviations"). Products with CB reports can submit the CB report as reference technical documents, but still need to complete supplementary testing for UL standard differential items. CB reports cannot directly replace UL standard test reports.

Q: Is there a validity period limit for UN 38.3 test reports? A: The UN 38.3 test report itself has no unified mandatory validity period. However, if substantial changes occur in the product's battery design, cell supplier or manufacturing process, re-assessment is required. In DV verification practice, platforms usually require UN 38.3 test reports to be issued recently, and the specific time limit is subject to the latest provisions of platform compliance policies.

Q: What language should be used for product manuals and warning labels? A: The official language of the target sales market country or region is the applicable language for manuals and warning labels. Taking the North American market as an example, product manuals, safety manuals, product body labels and packaging labels must all be in English (French is additionally required for the Canadian market). The format and content of warning labels must meet the specific provisions in applicable standards (UL 2743 or UL 2056).

Q: Do portable power supplies require energy efficiency or radio certification? A: UL 2743 and UN 38.3 fall under the category of product safety certification and do not involve energy efficiency or radio certification requirements. If the product integrates wireless communication modules such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, radio certification for the target market (such as US FCC certification, Canadian ISED certification) must be completed separately. If the product has energy efficiency label requirements, it shall be assessed separately according to relevant regulations of the target market. Safety certification and radio/energy efficiency certification are independent compliance links that must be completed separately.

9. Summary

As high-risk consumer products with built-in high-capacity lithium batteries, the compliance framework of portable power supplies consists of transport safety standards (UN 38.3) and product safety standards (UL 2743 or UL 2056). The core function of the DV verification mechanism is to ensure, through direct participation of third-party institutions, that the test reports submitted by the declarant are authentic and valid, the testing institutions have corresponding qualifications, and the products are consistent with the report descriptions.

For manufacturing enterprises planning to sell portable power supply products in the North American market, the reasonable order of compliance work is: first complete safety certification at the battery cell level (UL 1642/UL 62133-2, etc.), then complete full UL 2743 safety tests for the complete product and obtain the test report, simultaneously complete UN 38.3 testing and obtain the BTS, and finally submit the full set of documents to a qualified TIC institution for verification. Each step has sequential logical relationships, while some parts can be operated in parallel. Compliance planning should be incorporated at the product R&D stage.

This article is compiled based on UL 2743:2023, Section 38.3 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Manual of Tests and Criteria, and Amazon public compliance policies. If relevant standards and regulatory requirements are updated, the latest official version shall prevail.

Additional FAQ

Q: What are the main differences between UL 2743 and UL 2056? A: UL 2743 applies to portable outdoor power stations with AC output, with tests covering four dimensions of electrical safety, mechanical safety, environmental adaptability and battery system safety. UL 2056 only applies to small power banks, focusing on basic electrical safety of USB/DC output. The two cannot replace each other.

Q: The product has passed CB certification (IEC 62133-2). Can it be directly used for DV verification? A: No. CB certification is based on the IEC standard system, while DV verification uses UL standards as the judgment basis. Products with CB reports need supplementary testing for UL standard differential items.

Q: Is there a validity period limit for UN 38.3 test reports? A: The UN 38.3 test report itself has no unified mandatory validity period. However, if substantial changes occur in battery design, cell supplier or manufacturing process, re-assessment is required. Platforms usually require reports to be issued recently.

Q: What language should be used for product manuals and warning labels? A: Manuals and warning labels must use the official language of the target sales market. Taking the North American market as an example, English is required (French is additionally required for the Canadian market).

Q: Do portable power supplies require energy efficiency or radio certification? A: UL 2743 and UN 38.3 fall under product safety certification. If the product integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other modules, radio certifications such as FCC/ISED must be completed separately. Safety certification and radio certification are independent compliance links.