Certification of Lead Acid Batteries & Production Standards Full Analysis

Lead-acid batteries, as an important branch of traditional energy storage technology, require proper qualification certification and adherence to production standards to ensure product safety, reliability, and market access. We will analyze the Certification of Lead Acid Batteries, differences in production standards, methods for determining compliance, and real-world examples, deeply exploring user concerns and providing solutions.

1. Qualification Certification System: Requirements in Major Global Markets

China

Mandatory Certification:

• GB 44240-2024: China’s first mandatory national standard for lithium battery safety in energy storage applications (also applicable to lead-acid battery storage scenarios). It covers cell vibration, needle penetration, and forced discharge tests, taking effect on August 1, 2025.

Voluntary Certification:

• CQC Certification: Issued by the China Quality Certification Center, covering standards like GB/T 19638 (for stationary valve-regulated lead-acid batteries) and GB/T 5008 (for starter lead-acid batteries).

Green Product Evaluation:

• GB/T 42391-2023 (“Green Product Evaluation Specifications – Lead-Acid Batteries”): Focuses on environmental indicators and full lifecycle pollution control to promote green industry transformation.

International Certifications

IEC Standards:

• IEC 60896 (stationary valve-regulated batteries)
• IEC 60095 (starter batteries)
  These are internationally recognized standards covering performance and safety testing.

United States:

• UL 1989 (backup battery safety standard)
• UL 1778 (UPS system standard)
  These focus on explosion prevention and thermal runaway protection.

Europe:

• EN 61056 (general battery pack specifications)
• EN 60254 (traction battery standards)
  Compliance with CE certification is required, emphasizing environmental protection and recycling.

Japan and South Korea:

• JIS C 8702 (Japanese Industrial Standard)
• KC 62619 (Korean energy storage battery safety certification)
  These require high-temperature stability and long cycle life.

Other Regions:

• India: BIS certification (IS 1651 standard), ensuring battery capacity and high-temperature endurance.
• Southeast Asia: Mostly follows IEC standards, with some local adaptations (e.g., Thailand’s TISI certification).

2. Manufacturer Qualification Requirements and Compliance Verification

Core Certifications:

• Quality Management System: ISO 9001 is the basic requirement; some manufacturers need IATF 16949 (automotive industry standard).
• Environmental Permits: Compliance with China’s “Lead-Acid Battery Industry Access Conditions” or EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) pollution control requirements.
• Product Certification: CQC (China), UL (U.S.), CE (Europe), issued by recognized institutions like Beijing Jianheng Certification Center, TÜV Rheinland, etc.

How to Verify Compliance

• Certification Authority Authenticity: For example, UL certification must be tested by Underwriters Laboratories, and CE certification must be approved by an EU Notified Body.
• Public Verification Platforms: In China, the National Standard Information Public Service Platform allows verification of GB standard compliance.
• Supply Chain Transparency: Reputable companies disclose material suppliers (e.g., electrolyte meeting GB/T 42391-2023 standards).

3. Production Standard Differences and Product Performance

China’s GB Standards:

• GB/T 19638: For stationary valve-regulated batteries, focusing on cycle life (≥350 cycles) and explosion protection.
• GB/T 5008: For starter batteries, emphasizing cold start performance (current output at -18°C).

International Comparisons:

• IEC 60896 vs. UL 1989: IEC focuses on long-term float charge life, while UL prioritizes short-circuit protection and thermal runaway testing.
• EN 61056 vs. JIS C 8702: European standards emphasize recycling and environmental protection, while Japan’s standard strictly limits electrolyte leakage risks.

Impact of Standards on Product Performance:

• High-Temperature Adaptability: IEC 60254-compliant traction batteries operate stably at 55°C, suitable for tropical regions.
• Energy Density: U.S. UL-certified batteries optimize space utilization (e.g., AGM technology), while China’s GB standards prioritize safety.

4. Case Studies and Market Trends

• Envision Energy: Expected to receive China’s first GB 44240 certification in 2025. Their energy storage batteries pass 200+ global tests across UL, IEC, KC, and other standards, ranking among the top three in global shipments.
• Leoch International: China’s largest lead-acid battery exporter, strengthening its presence in the U.S. and Europe via Leoch Energy. Their products meet UL 1989 and EN 61056 standards.
• China Mobile Procurement: In the 2025 tender, they require lead-acid batteries to meet GB/T 19638 and IEC 60896 standards. High-power models must pass ≥350-cycle lifespan tests.

5. Risks of Incomplete or Non-Compliant Certifications

If a lead-acid battery manufacturer lacks the necessary product and production certifications, potential consequences include:

1. Safety Risks

   • Explosion and Fire Hazards: Batteries failing UL 1989 or IEC 60896 may overheat, catch fire, or explode under extreme conditions.
   • Short Circuit Failures: Non-compliant batteries may lack adequate short-circuit protection, leading to thermal runaway.

2. Environmental Compliance Issues

   • Failure to meet GB/T 42391-2023 (China) or EN 61056 (Europe) may result in heavy metal leakage and environmental pollution fines.

3. Legal and Market Access Barriers

   • Import/Export Restrictions: Products without CE (Europe), UL (U.S.), or BIS (India) certification face customs rejection or legal action.
   • Tender Disqualification: Government and enterprise tenders often require compliance with ISO 9001, UL, or IEC standards.

4. Performance Issues and Financial Losses

   • Non-compliant batteries may have poor cycle life, leading to frequent replacements and increased costs.
   • Reputation Damage: Companies using substandard batteries risk customer complaints, recalls, and legal claims.

Lead-acid battery buyers must thoroughly assess certification compliance and production standards. Choosing a supplier with complete GB, IEC, UL, and CE certifications ensures safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance, preventing operational risks and financial losses.

References

Standards:

• China Standards

  • Standardization Administration of China. (2024). GB 44240-2024: Safety standard for energy storage lithium batteries (including lead-acid storage applications). Beijing, China: SAC.
  • Standardization Administration of China. (2023). GB/T 42391-2023: Green product evaluation specifications – Lead-acid batteries. Beijing, China: SAC.
  • Standardization Administration of China. (2005). GB/T 19638: Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for stationary applications. Beijing, China: SAC.
  • Standardization Administration of China. (2016). GB/T 5008: Lead-acid starter batteries for automobiles. Beijing, China: SAC.

• International Standards

  • International Electrotechnical Commission. (2014). IEC 60896: Stationary lead-acid batteries – Valve-regulated types. Geneva, Switzerland: IEC.
  • International Electrotechnical Commission. (2021). IEC 60095: Lead-acid starter batteries – General requirements and test methods. Geneva, Switzerland: IEC.
  • European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization. (2019). EN 61056: General-purpose lead-acid batteries. Brussels, Belgium: CENELEC.
  • European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization. (2016). EN 60254: Lead-acid traction batteries for industrial applications. Brussels, Belgium: CENELEC.
  • Japanese Industrial Standards Committee. (2021). JIS C 8702: Lead-acid batteries – Performance and safety requirements. Tokyo, Japan: JISC.
  • Korean Agency for Technology and Standards. (2019). KC 62619: Safety requirements for secondary lithium batteries and battery packs. Seoul, South Korea: KATS.
  • Bureau of Indian Standards. (2018). IS 1651: Stationary lead-acid batteries – General requirements and methods of test. New Delhi, India: BIS.

• UL Standards (United States)

  • Underwriters Laboratories. (2021). UL 1989: Standard for standby batteries. Northbrook, IL: UL.
  • Underwriters Laboratories. (2017). UL 1778: Standard for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Northbrook, IL: UL.

Certifications:

• International Organization for Standardization. (2015). ISO 9001: Quality management systems – Requirements. Geneva, Switzerland: ISO.
• International Automotive Task Force. (2016). IATF 16949: Quality management system requirements for automotive production and relevant service parts organizations.