[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/IEC 62133 Battery Safety IEC 62133battery safetyCE markinglithium battery # IEC 62133: The Battery Safety Standard Behind Every CE-Marked Portable Device Any product containing a rechargeable battery — smartphone, laptop, wearable, IoT device — relies on a battery that should have been tested to IEC 62133. For hardware manufacturers, understanding this standard is important both for verifying that your battery supply chain is compliant and for documenting it correctly in your CE technical file. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fiec-62133-battery-safety) [Check my battery compliance requirements](/platform/new) Scope ## What IEC 62133 covers and its two parts IEC 62133 exists in two parts that cover different battery chemistries. IEC 62133-1 covers nickel systems — nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) cells and battery packs for portable applications. IEC 62133-2 covers lithium systems — lithium-ion and lithium polymer cells and battery packs for portable applications. This is the most commercially significant part for modern electronics hardware. The standard covers secondary (rechargeable) batteries and specifies requirements for safe operation under normal use conditions and under reasonably foreseeable abuse conditions. It tests the cell and pack design, protection electronics, and mechanical construction for hazards including fire, explosion, leakage, and venting under stress conditions. EN 62133-2 is the European adoption of IEC 62133-2 and is cited in the harmonised standards lists under the Low Voltage Directive. Test requirements ## Key tests in IEC 62133 and what they evaluate IEC 62133-2 for lithium systems includes approximately 20 tests across three categories. Electrical tests include continuous charge (extended charging beyond normal termination), external and internal short circuit simulation, forced discharge, and overcharge beyond designed limits. These verify that protection circuits and cell chemistry prevent thermal runaway, venting, fire, or explosion under electrical abuse. Mechanical tests include crush (controlled mechanical deformation), nail penetration (simulating internal short from penetrating object), drop, and vibration. Environmental tests include temperature cycling, low pressure (altitude simulation for air transport), high temperature endurance, and immersion. Each test specifies pass criteria — typically absence of fire, absence of explosion, and bounded vent/leak conditions. IEC 62133 testing is typically performed at the battery cell or pack level by an accredited laboratory. For hardware manufacturers, this means obtaining IEC 62133 test reports from your battery supplier — ideally at both the cell level and the pack level. Related standards ## How IEC 62133 fits with UN 38.3, CE, and UL UN 38.3 is a transport safety standard for lithium batteries. It covers vibration, altitude simulation, thermal exposure, short circuit, impact, and overcharge. UN 38.3 and IEC 62133 have overlapping test conditions but different purposes: UN 38.3 focuses on transport safety, IEC 62133 on product use safety. Both sets of test evidence are required for compliant CE-marked battery products that will be shipped by air. IEC 62368-1 (the main safety standard for electronics) incorporates battery safety requirements by reference to IEC 62133. The CE technical file for a product containing a lithium battery must include IEC 62133 test reports for the battery in addition to the IEC 62368-1 system-level test report. UL 1642 and UL 2054 are the US equivalents for battery cell and pack safety — significant technical overlap enables combined testing for multi-market products. The EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) adds additional requirements for batteries above specific capacity thresholds including EPR registration, chemical restrictions, and Battery Passport requirements from 2027. IEC 62133 safety testing is a component of compliance, not the complete Battery Regulation picture. ## Learn this properly, not just for one product In-depth courses and books that teach the process — not a one-off answer you'll need to look up again next time. [Browse courses](/courses)[Free Compliance Roadmap](/platform/new) [Prefer to read? Get the book](/books) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is IEC 62133 mandatory for CE marking? EN 62133-2 is harmonised under the Low Voltage Directive for portable lithium battery packs. Compliance with EN 62133-2 gives presumption of conformity with the relevant LVD essential requirements for the battery. Using the harmonised standard is standard practice for CE-marked battery-containing products. ### Who is responsible for IEC 62133 testing — the battery manufacturer or the device manufacturer? The battery manufacturer is responsible for IEC 62133 compliance at the component level. The device manufacturer is responsible for confirming their supplier has this compliance and including the evidence in their CE technical file. Request IEC 62133 test reports from battery suppliers and verify they cover the specific cell and pack configuration used in your product. ### Does IEC 62133 cover swappable battery packs? Yes. IEC 62133 covers battery packs — the complete battery module including cells, protection circuits, connectors, and housing. Swappable battery packs designed to be removed and replaced by users are covered by IEC 62133. The EU Battery Regulation also imposes user-replaceability obligations for portable batteries. ### What is the difference between IEC 62133 and IEC 62619? IEC 62133 covers portable batteries used in handheld and portable applications. IEC 62619 covers secondary lithium cells and batteries for industrial and stationary applications — including grid-scale storage, UPS systems, and large industrial battery systems. For most consumer electronics and hardware products, IEC 62133 applies. [ Map your product, free Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. Start mapping](/platform/new)[ Want an expert to handle your compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Related guides * [EN 62368-1 ExplainedEN 62368-1 (Audio/Video, IT and Communications Technology Equipment) replaced EN 60950-1 and EN 60065 in 2019 and is now the pr…](/guides/en-62368-1-explained) * [EU Battery PassportThe EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) mandates Battery Passports for industrial batteries and EV batteries from February 2027.](/guides/eu-battery-passport) * [CE Marking for Solar SystemsCE marking for solar inverters, grid-tied systems, and off-grid solar power systems covers LVD safety, EMC, and RED (if wireles…](/guides/ce-marking-solar-systems) * [IEC/CENELEC Standards and CE MarkingIEC publishes international electrotechnical standards; CENELEC adopts them as EN standards for EU harmonisation.](/guides/iec-cenelec-standards-ce) Educational resource only. Battery compliance requirements depend on chemistry, capacity, and end application. Verify with qualified specialists before finalizing your supply chain.