[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/CE Marking Power Banks CE MarkingBatteries # CE Marking for Portable Chargers and Power Banks: LVD, Battery Regulation, and UN 38.3 Power banks are deceptively complex from a compliance perspective — they sit at the intersection of electrical safety law, EMC, the new EU Battery Regulation, and international transport rules. Getting any one of these wrong can block your shipment, delay launch, or expose you to market surveillance action after you go live. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fce-marking-for-power-banks) At a glance Directives LVD 2014/35/EU + EMC + RoHS Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 Transport test UN 38.3 Battery Passport Required for batteries >2 kWh (2027) ## The overlapping compliance frameworks for power banks ### LVD 2014/35/EU — electrical safety for the charger circuit The Low Voltage Directive covers power banks because they contain rechargeable cells, protection electronics, and charging circuitry operating within the 50–1000 V AC / 75–1500 V DC range (at system level, even if cell voltage is lower). Compliance requires testing to EN 62368-1 (the AV/IT hazard-based safety standard) or IEC 62133-2 for the cell pack itself. The technical file must document the hazard analysis, design controls, and test results. ### EMC Directive 2014/30/EU — emissions from the converter electronics The switching converter inside a power bank is an unintentional radio frequency emitter. The EMC Directive requires that the device does not exceed conducted and radiated emission limits (EN 55032) and maintains basic immunity (EN 55035). Pre-compliance EMC testing early in hardware development is strongly recommended — a failed final EMC test at the end of a project is expensive and time-consuming to remediate. ### EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 — labeling, capacity, and carbon footprint The EU Battery Regulation replaces the old Battery Directive and introduces phased requirements for portable batteries. Immediate obligations include mandatory capacity declaration in Wh (not mAh alone), the crossed-out wheelie bin recycling symbol, and chemical hazard labeling. Later phases introduce carbon footprint declarations, recycled content requirements, and — for batteries above 2 kWh — the battery passport. Power banks with cells above this threshold face earlier and more demanding obligations. ### UN 38.3 transport testing — mandatory for all lithium cells and batteries UN 38.3 is not a CE marking requirement but is legally mandatory under transport law (IATA, IMDG, ADR) for any lithium cell or battery shipped by air, sea, or road. The eight-test sequence covers altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact, overcharge, and forced discharge. The test report must accompany the product through the logistics chain — customs and freight carriers frequently request it. ## How to CE mark a power bank 01 Classify your cells under the EU Battery Regulation — determine whether your power bank contains portable batteries (consumer-facing, under 5 kg) or LMT batteries (light means of transport such as e-bike packs), as the applicable requirements and timelines differ by class. 02 Test to EN 62368-1 (preferred for consumer AV/IT products) or IEC 62133-2 at an accredited test laboratory for LVD compliance; confirm the protection circuit module (PCM) has its own component-level safety certifications such as UL 2054 or IEC 62133. 03 Run EMC testing per EN 55032 for radiated and conducted emissions and EN 55035 for immunity — arrange pre-compliance testing in your own facility or at a lab during the prototype phase to catch issues before formal submission. 04 Label the product and packaging with: capacity in Wh (mandatory — mAh alone is insufficient), the crossed-out wheelie bin recycling symbol, applicable chemical hazard markings (Pb, Cd, or Hg if applicable), the CE mark, and your EU representative contact details. 05 Prepare the Declaration of Conformity citing LVD, EMC Directive, and RoHS, compile the full technical file, and obtain the UN 38.3 test summary from your cell supplier — this is required by logistics carriers for every air and sea shipment. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is UN 38.3 required for CE marking? UN 38.3 is not part of the CE marking framework and is not required by any EU directive to affix the CE mark. However, it is legally required under international transport law — IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for air freight, IMDG for sea freight, and ADR for road transport — for all lithium cells and batteries. In practice, freight forwarders, airlines, and shipping companies require the UN 38.3 test summary before accepting lithium battery shipments, making it a de facto commercial requirement even if it sits outside CE marking. ### What does the EU Battery Regulation require for power banks specifically? For portable batteries (which includes power bank cells), the EU Battery Regulation requires immediate labeling with capacity in Wh, the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol, and chemical hazard labels. It also requires that batteries be removable and replaceable by the end user — a design constraint that affects power bank enclosure engineering. Carbon footprint declarations and recycled content requirements apply from later dates set in the regulation, with the full battery passport required only for batteries above 2 kWh (most consumer power banks fall below this threshold). ### Can power bank capacity be stated in mAh only? No. Under the EU Battery Regulation, capacity must be declared in Wh (watt-hours) on the label. mAh alone is insufficient because it does not convey actual energy content without knowing the cell voltage. The Wh figure must be calculated as nominal capacity (Ah) multiplied by nominal voltage (V). Many products state both mAh (which consumers are familiar with for comparison) and Wh (which satisfies the regulatory requirement) — this dual declaration is acceptable. ### What is the difference between a portable battery and an LMT battery under the EU Battery Regulation? Portable batteries are batteries below 5 kg, not intended for industrial use, and not specifically designed for electric vehicles or light means of transport (LMT). LMT batteries are designed specifically for e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles. The distinction matters because LMT batteries face earlier and more stringent carbon footprint, recycled content, and battery passport obligations than portable batteries. A high-capacity power bank used as a standalone portable power source is generally a portable battery, but a battery pack designed and sold as an e-bike accessory is an LMT battery. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements change and vary by product category. Consult an accredited test laboratory or qualified compliance engineer before making certification decisions. 🇪🇺 CE Marking roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. 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