Sodium-ion Batteries for Transport Shall Undergo UN38.3 Test,
Un38.3,

▍What is KC?

Since 25^th Aug., 2008，Korea Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) announced that the National Standard Committee will conduct a new national unified certification mark — named KC mark replacing Korean Certification during the time between Jul. 2009 and Dec. 2010. Electrical Appliances safety certification scheme (KC Certification) is a mandatory and self-regulatory safety confirmation scheme according to Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act, a scheme which certified safety of manufacture and sale. 

The difference between mandatory certification and self-regulatory (voluntary) safety confirmation：

For the safe management of electrical appliances, KC certification is divided into mandatory and self-regulatory  (voluntary) safety certifications as the classification of danger of  product.The subjects of Mandatory certification is applied to electrical appliances which its structures and methods of application may cause serious dangerous results or obstacle such as fire, electric shock. While the subjects of self-regulatory (voluntary) safety certification is applied to electrical appliances which its structures and methods of application can hardly causes serious dangerous results or obstacle such as fire, electric shock. And the danger and obstacle can be prevented by testing the electrical appliances.

▍Who can apply for KC certification：

All legal persons or individuals both at home and abroad who are engaged in manufacturing, assembly, processing of electrical appliance.

▍Scheme and method of safety certification：

Apply for KC certification with product’s model that can be divided into basic model and series model.

In order to clarify model type and design of electrical appliances, an unique product name will be given according to its different function.

▍ KC certification for Lithium battery

1.  KC certification standard for lithium battery：KC62133:2019
2. Product scope of KC certification for lithium battery

A. Secondary lithium batteries for use in portable application or removable devices

B. Cell is not subject to KC certificate whether for sale or assembled in batteries.

C. For batteries used in energy storage device or UPS (uninterruptible power supply), and their power which is greater than 500Wh are beyond the scope.

D. Battery whose volume energy density is lower than 400Wh/L comes into certification scope since 1^st, Apr. 2016.  

▍Why MCM?

● MCM keeps a close cooperation with Korean labs, such as KTR (Korea Testing & Research Institute) and is able to offer the best solutions with high cost performance and Value-added service to clients from the point of lead time, testing process, certification cost.

● KC certification for rechargeable lithium battery can be gained by submitting a CB certificate and convert it into KC certificate. As a CBTL under TÜV Rheinland, MCM can offer reports and certificates which can be applied for conversion of KC certificate directly. And the lead time can be shortened if applying CB and KC at the same time. What’s more, the related price will be more favorable.

The meeting of UN TDG held from November 29 to December 8, 2021 has approved a proposal which is concerned about amendments to sodium-ion battery control. Committee of experts plans to draft amendments to the twenty-second revised edition of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, and Model Regulations (ST/SG/AC.10/1/Rev.22).For SP188, SP230, SP296, SP328, SP348, SP360, SP376 and SP377, modify special provisions; for SP400 and SP401, insert special provisions (Requirements for sodium-ion cells and batteries contained in or packed with equipment as general goods for transportation)

Follow same labeling requirement as lithium-ion batteries
Amendment to Model Regulations
Applicable scope: UN38.3 is not only applicable to lithium-ion batteries, but also sodium-ion batteries
Some description contained “Sodium-ion batteries” are added with “Sodium-ion batteries” or deleted of “Lithium-ion”.
Add a table of test sample size: Cells either on standalone transportation or as components of batteries are not required to undergo T8 enforced discharge test.
Conclusion:
It is suggested for enterprises which plan to manufacture sodium-ion batteries to pay earliest attention to relevant regulations. By such, effective measures can be taken to cope with regulations upon regulation enforcement, and smooth transportation can be guaranteed. MCM will constantly look into the regulation and standards of sodium-ion batteries, to provide requirement information to clients in timely manner.