Battery Standards

Listed below you will find some of the most common standards pertinent to batteries and battery pack applications.

At a Glance: Battery Standards

• Battery standards establish common requirements for safety, performance, testing, transportation, and product reliability across a wide range of battery technologies.
• Different battery chemistries, including lithium, nickel-metal hydride, and nickel-cadmium, are governed by standards specific to their design and application requirements.
• Compliance with applicable standards helps support product safety, regulatory acceptance, and consistent performance throughout a battery's lifecycle.

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General Battery Standards

Standard Number	Title
IEC 60050	International electro technical vocabulary. Chapter 486: Secondary cells and batteries.
IEC 60086-1, BS 387	Primary Batteries - General
IEC 60086-2, BS	Batteries - General
ANSI C18.1M	Portable Primary Cells and Batteries with Aqueous Electrolyte - General and Specifications
ANSI C18.2M	Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries - General and Specifications
ANSI C18.3M	Portable Lithium Primary Cells and Batteries - General and Specifications
UL 2054	Safety of Commercial and Household Battery Packs - Testing
IEEE 1625	Standard for Rechargeable Batteries for Mobile Computers
USNEC Article 480	Storage Batteries

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Lithium Battery Standards

Standard Number	Title
BS 2G 239:1992	Specification for primary active lithium batteries for use in aircraft
BS EN 60086-4:2000, IEC 60086-4:2000	Primary batteries. Safety standard for lithium batteries
BS EN 61960-1:2001, IEC 61960-1:2000	Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications. Secondary lithium cells
BS EN 61960-2:2002, IEC 61960-2:2001	Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications. Secondary lithium batteries
02/208497 DC	IEC 61960. Ed.1. Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications
02/209100 DC	IEC 62281. Ed.1. Safety of primary and secondary lithium cells and batteries during transport
BS G 239:1987	Specification for primary active lithium batteries for use in aircraft
BS EN 60086-4:1996, IEC 60086-4:1996	Primary batteries. Safety standard for lithium batteries
UL 1642	Safety of Lithium-Ion Batteries - Testing
GB /T18287-2000	Chinese National Standard for Lithium Ion batteries for mobile phones
ST/SG/AC.10/27/	United Nations recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods

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Nickel Metal Hydride Battery Standards

Standard Number	Title
BS EN 61436:1998, IEC 61436:1998	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Sealed nickel-metal hydride rechargeable single cells
BS EN 61808:2001, IEC 61808:1999	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Sealed nickel-metal hydride button rechargeable single cells
BS EN 61951-2:2001, IEC 61951-2:2001	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Portable sealed rechargeable single cells. Nickel-metal hydride
BS EN 61951-2:2003	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Portable sealed rechargeable single cells. Nickel-metal hydride
96/216533 DC	IEC 1808. Sealed nickel-metal hydride button rechargeable single cells (IEC Document 21A/207/CD)
97/204158 DC	IEC 1441. Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. User-replaceable batteries containing more than one sealed nickel-metal hydride rechargeable cell for consumer electronic applications (21A/212/CD)
00/246138 DC	BS EN 61436 Ed 2. Sealed nickel-metal hydride rechargeable single cells (IEC Document 21A/303/CD)
GB/T18288-2000	Chinese National Standard for Nickel Metal Hydride batteries for mobile phones

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Nickel Cadmium Battery Standards

Standard Number	Title
BS EN 1175-1:1998	Safety of industrial trucks. Electrical requirements. General requirements for battery powered trucks
BS EN 2570:1996	Nickel-cadmium batteries. Technical specification
BS EN 2985:1996	Nickel-cadmium batteries of format A type
BS EN 2986:1996	Nickel-cadmium batteries of format B type
BS EN 2987:1996	Nickel-cadmium batteries of format C type
BS EN 2988:1996	Nickel-cadmium batteries of format D type
BS EN 2991:1996	Nickel-cadmium batteries of format E type
BS EN 2993:1996	Nickel-cadmium batteries of format F type
BS EN 60285:1995, IEC 60285:1993	Alkaline secondary cells and batteries. Sealed nickel-cadmium cylindrical rechargeable single cells
BS EN 60622:1996	Sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells
BS EN 60622:2003	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells
BS EN 60623:1996, IEC 60623:1990	Vented nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells
BS EN 60623:2001, IEC 60623:2001	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Vented nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells
BS EN 60993:2002	Electrolyte for vented nickel-cadmium cells
BS EN 61150:1994, IEC 61150:1992	Alkaline secondary cells and batteries. Sealed nickel-cadmium rechargeable monobloc batteries in button cell design
BS EN 61440:1998, IEC 61440:1997	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Sealed nickel-cadmium small prismatic rechargeable single cells
BS EN 61951-1:2001, IEC 61951-1:2001	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Portable sealed rechargeable single cells. Nickel-cadmium
BS EN 61951-1:2003	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Portable sealed rechargeable single cells. Nickel-cadmium
BS EN 62259:2004	Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary single cells with partial gas recombination
94/216281 DC	Guide to the equipment manufacturers and users of alkaline secondary cells and batteries on possible safety and health hazards. Part 1:Nickel-cadmium. (21A/163/CD)
96/203612 DC	IEC 1914. Technical report type 2. Alternative publication for vented nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells (IEC Document 21A/186/CDV)
98/203520 DC	IEC 61959-1, ED.1. Mechanical tests for sealed portable alkaline secondary cells and batteries. Part 1. Secondary cells IEC DOCUMENT 21A/239/CD
01/202968 DC	BS EN 60285. Ed.4. Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. Sealed nickel-cadmium cylindrical rechargeable single cells
BS 5932:1980	Specification for sealed nickel-cadmium cylindrical rechargeable single cells
BS 6115:1981	Specification for sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells
BS 6260:1982	Specification for open nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells
BS 3G 205:1983	Specification for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries
GB/T18289-2000	Chinese National Standard for Nickel Cadmium batteries for mobile phones

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Links

• Why are battery standards important?
• What types of battery standards are commonly used?
• Are there different standards for different battery chemistries?
• How do battery standards support safety and compliance?
• Which standards are commonly applied to lithium battery applications?

Why are battery standards important?

Battery standards provide a framework for evaluating safety, performance, construction, testing, and reliability. They help manufacturers, designers, and end users ensure that battery products meet recognized industry requirements and can operate as intended. Standards also promote consistency across products and markets by defining common testing methods and performance criteria. Compliance with these standards can be an important part of product certification, regulatory approval, and customer acceptance.

What types of battery standards are commonly used?

Battery standards cover a variety of topics, including safety testing, performance specifications, transportation requirements, installation guidelines, and rechargeable battery design. Organizations such as IEC, ANSI, UL, IEEE, and national regulatory bodies publish standards that address different battery technologies and applications. Some standards focus on individual cells, while others apply to complete battery packs or specific end-use products. The applicable standards depend on the battery chemistry, industry, and intended use of the product.

Are there different standards for different battery chemistries?

Yes, battery standards are often developed specifically for particular chemistries because each technology has unique operating characteristics and safety considerations. Lithium batteries are governed by standards covering safety, transportation, and portable applications, while separate standards exist for nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium technologies. These standards address issues such as charging behavior, construction requirements, testing procedures, and environmental considerations. Selecting the correct standard is an important part of designing and qualifying a battery system.

How do battery standards support safety and compliance?

Battery standards establish testing methods and design requirements intended to identify potential hazards and improve product reliability. Manufacturers use these standards to validate that battery products can withstand expected operating conditions and foreseeable misuse scenarios. Compliance with recognized standards can also help satisfy customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and industry expectations. Following applicable standards throughout development and manufacturing helps reduce risk while supporting product quality and consistency.

Which standards are commonly applied to lithium battery applications?

Lithium battery applications are often evaluated against standards covering safety, performance, and transportation requirements. Common examples include UL 1642 for lithium cell safety, IEC 61960 for portable lithium cells and batteries, IEC 62281 for transportation safety, and UN transportation recommendations for dangerous goods. Additional standards may apply depending on the industry, product type, and geographic market. Determining which standards are required typically depends on the battery's intended application and regulatory environment.

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