India is the world’s third largest producer and consumer of electricity, with a huge population advantage in the development of new energy industry as well as a huge market potential. MCM, as a leader in Indian battery certification, would like to introduce here the testing, certification requirements, market access conditions, etc. for different batteries to be exported to India, as well as make anticipatory recommendations. This article focuses on the testing and certification information of portable secondary batteries, traction batteries/cells used in EV and energy storage batteries.

Portable secondary lithium/nickel cells/batteries

Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or non-acid electrolytes and portable sealed secondary cells and batteries made from them are falling into the mandatory registration scheme (CRS) of BIS. To enter the Indian market, the product must meet the testing requirements of IS 16046 and acquire a registration number from BIS. The registration procedure is as following: Local or foreign manufacturers sent samples to the BIS-accredited Indian laboratories for testing, and after the completion of the test, submit an official report to the BIS portal for registration; Later the concerned officer examines the report and then releases the certificate, and so, a certification is completed. BIS Standard Mark should be marked on product surface and/or its packaging after completion of certification to achieve market circulation. Additionally, there is a possibility that the product will be subject to BIS market surveillance, and the manufacturer will bear the samples fee, testing fee and any other fee may caused. Manufacturers are obliged to comply with the requirements, otherwise they may face warnings of having their certificated canceled or other penalties.

1. Nickel standard: IS 16046 (Part 1): 2018/IEC 62133-1: 2017

( Abbreviation: IS 16046-1/ IEC 62133-1)

1. Lithium standard: IS 16046 (Part 2): 2018/ IEC 62133-2: 2017

(Abbreviation: IS 16046-2/ IEC 62133-2)

Requirements of sample:

Traction batteries used in EV

In India, all road vehicles are required to apply for certification from a body recognized by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MOTH). Before this, traction cells and battery systems, as their key components, should also be tested as per relevant standards to serve the certification of the vehicle.

Though traction cells do not fall into any registration system, after March 31, 2023, they must be tested as per standards IS 16893 (Part 2):2018 and IS 16893 (Part 3):2018, and test reports must be issued by NABL accredited laboratories or test institutes specified in Section 126 of the CMV (Central Motor Vehicles) to service certification of traction battery. Many of our customers had already gained test reports for their traction cells before March 31. In September 2020, India issued the standards AIS 156(Part 2) Amend 3 for traction battery used in L-type vehicle, AIS 038(Part 2) Amend 3M for traction battery used in N-type vehicle. In addition, the BMS of L, M and N type vehicles should meet the requirements of AIS 004 (Part 3).

Electric vehicles need to acquire Type Approved before entering the Indian market by obtaining a TAC certificate; Accordingly, the traction battery systems also need to obtain a TAC certificate. After completing the test and receive the certificate of AIS 038 or AIS 156 Revision 3 Phase II, the manufacturer needs to complete the first audit within a certain period of time and perform COP tests every two years to maintain the validity of the certificate.

Warm tips:

MCM, having rich experience in testing and certification of India traction battery and good relationships with NABL accredited labs, can offer our customers a sound and competitive price. In case of applying both AIS certification and IS 16893 certification in the same time, MCM can provide a program that complete all the test in China and so the lead time is shorter. With a deep study of AIS certification, MCM ensure our customers that the IS 16893 certifications we dealing with meet AIS requirements and so lay a good foundation for further vehicle certification.

Stationary Energy Storage Battery/Cells Systems

Energy storage cells need to be compliant with IS 16046 to meet the Compulsory registration scheme requirements before entering the Indian market. The BIS standard for energy storage battery systems is IS 16805:2018 (corresponding to IEC 62619:2017), which describes the requirements for testing and safe operation of secondary lithium cells and batteries for industrial use (including stationary). The products in scope are:

Stationary applications: telecommunications, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), electrical energy storage systems, public switching power supplies, emergency power supplies and other similar equipment.

Traction applications: forklifts, golf carts, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), railroads, marine, excluding passenger cars.

Currently industrial energy storage battery systems are not fall into any BIS mandatory certification system. However, with the development of industry, the demand for electricity increases dramatically, and the demand for energy storage products in India is also growing. It is foreseeable that in the near future, Indian officials will issue a mandatory certification decree for energy storage battery systems in order to regulate the market and improve the safety performance of products. Given such context, MCM has contacted local laboratories in India that have the qualification to assist them in perfecting the corresponding test equipment, so as to be ready for the subsequent mandatory standard. With the long term and stable relationship with the laboratories, MCM can provide customers with the most cost-effective testing and certification services for energy storage products.

UPS

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) also have specialized standards focusing on safety, EMC and performance requirements. Among them, IS 16242(Part 1):2014 safety regulations are the mandatory certification requirements and UPS products are required to comply with IS 16242 as a priority. This standard is applicable to UPS which are movable, stationary, fixed or for building-in, for use in low-voltage distribution systems and intended to be installed in any operator accessible area or in restricted access locations as applicable. It specifies requirements to ensure the safety of operators and laymen who may have access to the equipment, as well as maintenance personnel. The following lists the requirements of each part of the UPS standard, please note that requirements of EMC and performance are not yet included in the mandatory certification system, you may find their test standards below.

E-Waste (EPR) Certification (Waste Battery Management) in India

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has published the Battery Waste Management (BWM) Rules, 2022 on August 22, 2022, replacing the Battery Management and Disposal Regulations, 2001. Under the BWM rules, producers (manufacturers, importers) have an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the batteries they place on the market, and are required to meet specified collection and recycling targets in order to fulfill the producer’s full EPR obligations. These rules apply to all types of batteries, regardless of chemistry, shape, volume, weight, material composition and use.

As per the rules, battery manufacturers, recyclers and refurbishers have to register themselves through an online centralized portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Recyclers and refurbishers will also have to register with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB), Pollution Control Committees (PCC) on the centralized portal developed by the CPCB. The portal will increase accountability for fulfillment of EPR obligations and will also serve as a single point data repository for orders and guidance related to implementation of the 2022 BWM rule. Currently, the Producer Registration and EPR Goal Generation modules are operational.

Functions:

Grant of Registration           

EPR Plan Submission          

EPR Target Generation        

EPR Certificate Generation  Annual Return Filing         

What can MCM offer you?

In the field of India certification, MCM has accumulated bountiful resources and practical experience over the years, and is able to provide customers with accurate and authoritative information on India certification and customized comprehensive certification solutions for products. MCM offers customers a competitive price as well as the best service in various testings and certifications.