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.

Improperly designed lithium batteries can pose hazardous dangers. Ensuring adherence to established lithium-ion battery standards, such as UN 38.3, helps manufacturers to avoid legal issues and enhances product safety. Effective compliance management with multiple international safety and performance standards assures you that battery designs will withstand environmental and mechanical stresses. This product integrity assurance enables global market access by allowing batteries to be safely transported worldwide

TÜV SÜD’s international network of accredited laboratories provides comprehensive testing against all major lithium-ion battery standards. Our advanced testing facilities use state-of-the-art technology to support sophisticated lithium-ion battery testing.

Customised testing solutions and a proactive approach to safety management ensure you meet specific industry needs and regulatory requirements. Our extensive lithium-ion battery testing and standards development experience helps you stay ahead of regulatory changes and industry trends. TÜV SÜD’s globally recognised certification services assure you of compliance that facilitates global market entry.

TÜV SÜD offers comprehensive testing services that cover all major lithium-ion battery standards, helping manufacturers ensure battery safety, compliance, and reliability. This guarantees a thorough assessment of battery safety during transportation.

Our services include a wide range of tests from thermal and altitude simulations to shock, vibration, and external short circuit tests:

• UN 38.3 tests for shipping and battery transportation.
• Thermal test
• Altitude simulation
• Shock test
• Impact
• Vibration resistance
• External short circuit
• Overcharge
• Forced discharge
• Tests according to IEC 62133-1 safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells (and for batteries made from them) for use in portable applications – Part 1: Nickel systems.
• Tests according to IEC 62133-2 safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells (and for batteries made from them) for use in portable applications – Part 2: Lithium systems.
• IEC 60086 primary battery tests.
• Tests according to IEC 62619 for industrially-used batteries.
• UL 1642 lithium battery tests.
• IEC 61960-3 test for prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells and batteries made from them.
• Tests according to customer-specific requirements.
• CB certification (for example according to IEC 62133).