Q&A on GB 31241-2022 Testing and Certification,
GB 31241-2022,

▍Certification Overview

Standards and Certification Document

Test standard: GB31241-2014: Lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipment―Safety requirements
Certification document: CQC11-464112-2015: Secondary Battery and Battery Pack Safety Certification Rules for Portable Electronic Devices

Background and Date of implementation

1. GB31241-2014 was published on December 5^th, 2014;

2. GB31241-2014 was mandatorily implemented on August 1^st, 2015. ;

3. On October 15th, 2015, Certification and Accreditation Administration issued a technical resolution on additional testing standard GB31241 for key component “battery” of the audio and video equipment, information technology equipment and telecom terminal equipment. The resolution stipulates that the lithium batteries used in the above products need to be randomly tested as per GB31241-2014, or obtain a separate certification. 

Note: GB 31241-2014 is a national compulsory standard. All the lithium battery products sold in China shall conform to GB31241 standard. This standard will be used in new sampling schemes for national, provincial and local random inspection.

▍Scope of Certification

GB31241-2014 Lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipment―Safety requirements
Certification documents is mainly for mobile electronic products that are scheduled to be less than 18kg and can be often carried by users. The main examples are as follows. The portable electronic products listed below do not include all products, so products not listed are not necessarily outside the scope of this standard.

Wearable equipment: Lithium-ion batteries and battery packs used in equipment need to meet standard requirements.

▍Why MCM?

● Qualification recognition: MCM is a CQC accredited contract laboratory and a CESI accredited laboratory. The test report issued can be directly applied for CQC or CESI certificate;

● Technical support: MCM has ample GB31241 testing equipment and is equipped with more than 10 professional technicians to conduct in-depth research on testing technology, certification, factory audit and other processes, which can provide more accurate and customized GB 31241 certification services for global clients.

As GB 31241-2022 issued, The CCC certification could start applying since August 1st 2023. There’s a one-year transition, which means from August 1st 2024, all the lithium-ion batteries cannot enter into Chinese market without a CCC certificate. Some manufacturers are preparing for GB 31241-2022 testing and certification. As there are many changes not only on testing details, but also requirements on labels and application documents, MCM has got a lot of relative inquiry. We pick up some important Q&A for your reference.The change on label requirement is one of the most focused issues. Compared to 2014 version, the new one added that battery labels should be marked with rated energy, rated voltage, manufacturing factory and production date (or lot number).A: The main reason of marking energy is because of UN 38.3, in which the rated energy will be considered for transport safety. Normally energy is calculated by rated voltage * rated capacity. You may mark as real situation, or round the number up. But it’s not allowed to round down the number. It is because in the regulation on transport, the products are categorized into different dangerous level by energy, like 20Wh and 100Wh. If the energy figure is rounded down, it may cause danger.A: Adding production date is for traceability when products get into market. As lithium-ion batteries are mandatory for CCC certification, there will be market surveillance for these products. Once there are unqualified products, they need to be recalled. The production date can help to trace the lots involved. If manufacturer do not mark production date, or mark blurrily, there will be risk that all your products will be required to recall.