Introduction

In recent years, the global battery market has maintained rapid growth, with export volumes of lithium batteries, energy storage batteries and traction batteries continuing to rise. Meanwhile, technical regulations in target markets are constantly updated, certification requirements are becoming increasingly strict, and standard differences across countries have become one of the main barriers for battery enterprises going global.

Against this background, the CB Scheme, operated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) System for Conformity Assessment and Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE), has become an efficient compliance path for battery products to achieve "one test, multi-country certification conversion" with its test result mutual recognition mechanism covering 54 member countries. This article sorts out key links including the CB Scheme framework, core standards for battery categories, certification documents and processes, national differences and certification conversion practices, to help enterprises efficiently lay out the global market.

1. CB Scheme: The "International Pass" for Battery Global Expansion

The CB Scheme is a global multilateral mutual recognition system for safety test results of electrotechnical products operated by IECEE. Its core concept can be summarized as: one product, one standard, one test, global recognition. As of 2026, the CB Scheme covers 54 member countries, with approximately 80 National Certification Bodies (NCB) and more than 130 CB Testing Laboratories (CBTL) worldwide. Its scope covers 19 categories of electrotechnical products, among which batteries (BATT) are an important category.

1.1 Operating Architecture: NCB and CBTL

◉ NCB (National Certification Body): Responsible for accepting applications and issuing CB certificates. For example, China's CQC, Germany's TÜV and the United States' UL are all NCBs. ◉ CBTL (CB Testing Laboratory): Testing laboratories recognized by IECEE, responsible for sample testing and issuing CB test reports.

The business logic of the three-party collaboration is: an enterprise submits an application to an NCB, samples are sent to its associated CBTL for testing, and after passing the test, the NCB reviews the report and issues the CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report.

1.2 Core Value: One Test + National Difference Adaptation

When an enterprise applies for local certification in 54 member countries with the CB Test Certificate and report, safety test items generally do not require repeated testing, and only need to supplement difference tests corresponding to the target country. Compared with conducting full-item tests separately in multiple markets, the CB model can significantly shorten the project cycle and reduce certification costs, providing a flexible path for enterprises to diversify risks and explore emerging markets in an environment of fluctuating trade policies.

2. Positioning of CB Certificate: A Certification Conversion Tool, Not a Market Access Certificate

It should be specially reminded that the CB certificate is not a certificate directly used for market access — it cannot be directly used for customs clearance, nor can it be used as product nameplate identification or sales permission. Its essence is a "supporting technical document for certification conversion" between national certifications.

After holding the CB Test Certificate and report, an enterprise can apply for local mandatory certification in the target market, for example: ◉ South Korea KC ◉ Australia RCM ◉ Saudi Arabia SABER, etc.

Tip: Even without a CB certificate, enterprises can directly apply for national certifications, but need to completely redo safety tests. The value of the CB Scheme lies in supporting multi-country certification conversion with one test record, avoiding repeated investment.

3. Documents and Samples Required for Battery CB Certification

To apply for battery CB certification, enterprises usually need to prepare the following documents:

1. Product application form;
2. Battery and cell specifications (including circuit diagrams, PCB layout drawings, dimension drawings);
3. List of key components;
4. ISO 9001 system certification;
5. Sample quantity.

4. Important Notes

CB Certification Application Tips

(1) The application for a CB Test Certificate can be submitted by the applicant to any "issuing/recognizing" NCB covering the product scope. (2) The applicant can be either the manufacturer or an entity authorized to represent the manufacturer. (3) The applicant may require the NCB to test the product according to the national differences of the country where the product is sold.

Procedures for Manufacturers to Obtain Product Certification in Target Markets

(1) CB Test Certificate; (2) CB Test Report (may include national differences); (3) Provide product samples to the NCB of the target market when required.

The purpose of requiring samples is to confirm that the product is consistent with the product tested by the original issuing NCB, and that national differences have been covered.

National Differences

National differences are the differences between a country's standards or regulations and the corresponding international standards. The national differences of all countries joining the CB Scheme are submitted to the IECEE Secretariat and published in the CB Bulletin.

No Factory Inspection Required for CB Certification

Closing Remarks

International CB certification has gradually evolved from a traditional safety compliance certificate into a technical infrastructure in the globalization strategy of battery enterprises. Facing the uncertainty of the multilateral trade environment, the CB Scheme, with "one test + national difference adaptation" as its core, can help enterprises accurately match target market requirements, proactively lay out standard upgrades, build an agile supply chain system covering emerging markets, and achieve steady growth amid trade environment fluctuations.

About Energy Storage Testing

Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. has deep experience in the battery testing and certification field, and is an international IECEE authorized CBTL (TL777) laboratory. With a senior expert team and a complete service system, we can provide you with one-stop CB certification solutions from standard interpretation, testing to certificate acquisition, and can assist enterprises in accurately matching national differences and proactively laying out standard upgrades, helping your battery products safely and efficiently enter the global market. Welcome to contact us for exclusive certification planning.

IECEE official website CBTL qualification query link for Energy Storage Testing: https://www.iecee.org/members/cbtls/guangdong-estl-technology-co-ltd#