Two Resolutions on IEC 62133-2 Issued by IECEE,
IEC 62133-2,

▍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.

This month, IECEE issued two resolutions on IEC 62133-2 concerning the selection of upper/lower limit charging temperatures of cell and the limited voltage of battery. The following are the details of the resolutions:The resolution clearly states: In the actual test, no carrying out the +/-5℃ operation is acceptable, and charging can be carried out at the normal upper/lower limit charging temperature when charging in the manner of Clause 7.1.2 (requiring charging at upper and lower limit temperatures), though Appendix A.4 of the standard states that when the upper/lower limit temperature isn’t 10°C /45°C, the expected upper limit temperature shall be increased by 5°C and the lower limit temperature needs to be reduced by 5°C.In addition, the Panel of IEC SC21A(Sub-Technical Committee on Alkaline and Non-Acidic Batteries) intends to remove the +/-5℃ requirement in Appendix A.4 in the case of IEC 62133-2:3.2017/AMD2.Another resolution specifically addresses the IEC 62133-2 standard’s voltage limit for batteries: no more than 60Vdc. Although no explicit voltage limit is given in IEC 62133-2, its reference standard, IEC 61960-3, excludes batteries with a nominal voltage equal to or higher than 60Vdc from its scope.