Battery transportation safety testing

As lithium-ion batteries have become more widely used, their safety and reliability has become more heavily regulated by various international standards.

Lithium-ion batteries must meet requirements specified in the UN 38.3 Regulation as they are classified as class-9 dangerous goods by the United Nations. UN 38.3 details the specifics that must be fulfilled to safely transport lithium cells and batteries by air, sea, and land. UN 38.3 compliance gives access to global markets as it is recognised by regulators and custom authorities around the world.

From a technical perspective, UN 38.3 testing can be performed on cells, modules or packs. To assess stability during transportation, TÜV SÜD’s lithium-ion battery testing covers a combination of rigorous mechanical, electrical, and environmental exposures.

In addition to UN 38.3, other safety standards include IEC 62133, IEC 62619, and UL 1642, alongside performance standards such as IEC 61960-3.