IEC 62133: Safety Testing for Lithium Ion Batteries

Intertek can help bring your lithium ion battery products into global markets with testing services to IEC 62133 Requirements

What is IEC 62133?

IEC 62133 is an international standard for the safety of rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which are commonly used in a wide range of consumer electronics and other applications. The IEC 62133 standard sets out requirements and tests for the safety and performance of lithium ion batteries used in portable electronic devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices. The standard covers various aspects of battery safety, including electrical, mechanical, and chemical safety.

IEC 62133 is widely recognized and used by manufacturers, regulators, and other stakeholders in the lithium ion battery industry as a benchmark for battery safety. Compliance with the standard helps to ensure that lithium ion batteries are safe and reliable for use in a wide range of applications. In particular, the standard covers issues such as overcharging, over-discharging, short-circuiting, and thermal runaway, which can all potentially cause safety hazards if not properly managed. The standard also includes requirements for labeling and documentation, as well as testing procedures for verifying compliance with the standard.

Benefits of IEC 62133 Safety Testing

IEC 62133 is one of the most important standards for exporting lithium Ion batteries into global markets, including those used in IT equipment, tools, laboratories, consumer electronics and medical equipment. It specifies the requirements and testing for the safe operations of portable, sealed secondary cells and batteries made from them. 

There are several benefits to performing IEC 62133 safety testing on lithium ion batteries, including:

1. Ensuring product safety: By complying with the requirements and tests set out in the standard, manufacturers can help to ensure that their batteries are safe for consumers to use.
2. Reducing the risk of accidents: Lithium ion batteries have been known to catch fire or explode if not properly designed, manufactured, or used. IEC 62133 testing helps to identify potential safety hazards and reduce the risk of accidents.
3. Meeting regulatory requirements: Many countries have regulations in place that require products containing lithium ion batteries to meet certain safety standards. Compliance with IEC 62133 testing can help manufacturers meet these requirements.
4. Building consumer trust: Consumers are increasingly aware of the potential safety hazards associated with lithium ion batteries. By conducting IEC 62133 testing and complying with the standard, manufacturers can build trust with consumers and differentiate their products from competitors.
5. Improving product quality: The testing procedures set out in IEC 62133 can help to identify potential quality issues with lithium ion batteries, leading to improvements in design, manufacturing, and performance.

IEC 62133 and the Lithium ion Battery Compliance Roadmap

IEC 62133 2nd Edition vs. IEC 62133-2 1st Edition

There are currently two different versions: IEC 62133 2nd Edition and IEC 62133-2 1st Edition. The names look similar, but the versions are different with the requirements for a battery varying, depending on the market you wish to enter. It is important to understand the differences between IEC 62133 2nd Edition and IEC 62133-2 1st Edition, and how you determine which is best to use. Some of the changes in IEC 62133-2 1^st Edition include:

• Separate nickel (IEC 62133-1) and lithium (IEC 62133-2) chemistries
• Inclusion of coin cells, if internal AC impedance is <3.0 Ohm
• Inclusion of single fault conditions
• Changes to cell level requirements
  • External short circuit now performed at +55˚C ambient
  • Thermal abuse hold times have been changed
  • The crush test 10 percent deformation condition has been removed
  • End conditions changed for forced discharge, so they are not only time-based.
• Adjustments to battery level requirements
  • External short circuit should be performed with single fault condition
  • Different overcharge charge conditions than before
  • Vibration and mechanical shock tests have been added back to standard
• Incorporation of vibration and mechanical shock testing, based on UN 38.3, with UN 38.3 tests moved to reference Annex E.

The European Union (EU) adopted 62133-2 1^st edition in March, 2021. Now, all new portable lithium ion batteries in the EU must comply with these requirements.  Existing batteries and systems generally only need to be recertified if there is a design change or the end-product standard has been updated, as batteries are generally considered components rather than stand-alone end products. Furthermore, the US and Canada have adopted ANSI/UL 62133-2 and CSA C22.2 No. 62133-2:20 with transition timelines for enforcement of these versions varying between NRTLs.

Other countries and markets may adopt the new standard with different timelines, but ultimately, the intended market and end product will determine which standard to use. If you're unsure about which standard to use, partner with experts who can help determine the best path forward.

Our Accreditations

Intertek is positioned to serve the needs of lithium ion battery manufacturers who are bringing products to market globally. Our global battery testing laboratories offer Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) status for Category BATT, conveniently located in both North America and China for manufacturers needing IEC 62133 certification.