What Does IEC 62619 Cover?
The standard — currently IEC 62619:2022 (Edition 2.0) — specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of secondary lithium cells and batteries in industrial settings. Its scope covers:
- Stationary energy storage systems (residential, commercial, and grid-scale)
- Telecommunications and UPS backup power
- Motive applications including forklifts and AGVs
- Marine and rail applications
IEC 62619 explicitly excludes consumer electronics batteries (covered by IEC 62133) and road vehicle traction batteries (covered by the IEC 62660 series). This distinction matters when evaluating supplier documentation — a certificate referencing IEC 62133 does not satisfy the requirements for a stationary ESS product.
The standard also requires that battery management system (BMS) control systems be subject to formal functional safety analysis, typically referencing IEC 61508 or ISO 13849.
Why Is IEC 62619 Important for ESS Batteries?
Lithium batteries used in stationary applications operate under conditions very different from consumer electronics — longer continuous discharge cycles, higher ambient temperatures, integration with grid-connected inverters, and installation in enclosed spaces where thermal events carry serious consequences. IEC 62619 was developed specifically to address these risks.
For residential and commercial buyers, IEC 62619 certification provides assurance that the battery has been independently tested against scenarios including overcharge, short circuit, and thermal abuse — not just under ideal conditions, but under the kinds of stress that occur over years of real operation.
For B2B purchasers, system integrators, and EPCs, IEC 62619 is a compliance baseline for multiple major markets. The European Union requires it as part of the CE marking pathway for energy storage products. It is also recognized under the IECEE CB Scheme, which means a single IEC 62619 certification can serve as the basis for national approvals in over 50 participating countries — reducing the cost and time of achieving market access across multiple regions.
What Tests Are Required for IEC 62619 Certification?
Certification requires a battery to pass a defined series of mechanical, electrical, and environmental tests conducted by an accredited third-party laboratory.
Electrical tests
- Overcharge protection
- Over-discharge protection
- External short circuit
- Forced discharge
Mechanical tests
- Vibration
- Mechanical shock
- Drop and crush resistance
Environmental and thermal tests
- Thermal cycling across defined temperature ranges
- Altitude simulation
- Thermal runaway propagation assessment
BMS and system-level tests
- Verification that the BMS correctly responds to fault conditions
- Functional safety analysis of control systems
The thermal runaway tests are among the most demanding. A battery that passes IEC 62619 has demonstrated that, under severe electrical or thermal stress, it can contain a fault without propagating to adjacent cells — a critical safety property for batteries installed in homes, commercial buildings, or stacked rack configurations.
IEC 62619 vs UN38.3 / IEC 62133 / UL1973
IEC 62619 is frequently discussed alongside several other standards. The table below clarifies how they differ.
| Standard | Scope | Application | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEC 62619 | Industrial & stationary lithium batteries | ESS, UPS, telecom, marine | Required for EU market access; CB Scheme eligible |
| IEC 62133 | Portable consumer lithium batteries | Power tools, consumer electronics | Not valid for stationary ESS applications |
| UN38.3 | Transport safety (all lithium batteries) | Air, sea, and land freight | Covers shipping only; does not address operational safety |
| UL 1973 | Stationary battery systems | North American ESS market | De facto requirement for the US and Canada |
| IEC 62619 via CB Scheme | Same as IEC 62619 | Multi-market export | Single cert accepted in 50+ countries; reduces duplication |
These battery standards apply to different stages and applications of lithium battery use. IEC 62619 focuses on operational safety for industrial and stationary energy storage systems, while UN38.3 covers transportation safety, IEC 62133 applies to portable consumer batteries, and UL1973 is primarily used for stationary ESS certification in North America.
IEC 62619
- Purpose: Operational safety
- Application: ESS, UPS, telecom, industrial batteries
- Region: International
- Covers: Electrical, mechanical, thermal, and BMS safety
- Best for: Stationary lithium energy storage systems
UN38.3
- Purpose: Transportation safety
- Application: All lithium batteries during shipping
- Region: Global transport compliance
- Covers: Air, sea, rail, and road transport testing
- Best for: Export and logistics compliance
- Purpose: Consumer battery safety
- Application: Portable electronics and small battery packs
- Region: International
- Covers: Portable lithium battery operation
- Best for: Consumer electronics and power tools
UL1973
- Purpose: Stationary battery system safety
- Application: ESS and industrial battery systems
- Region: United States and Canada
- Covers: System-level safety evaluation
- Best for: North American energy storage projects
Which Standard Is Most Important for ESS?
For stationary lithium energy storage systems, IEC 62619 is the primary international operational safety standard. However, most export-ready ESS batteries also require:
- UN38.3 for transportation
- UL1973 for North American projects
- CE-related compliance for the European market
How to Identify an IEC 62619 Certified Battery
Certification claims are easy to make and worth verifying. When evaluating a supplier, request the full certificate for IEC 62619 and check the following:
- Issuing body: The certificate should be issued by an accredited testing laboratory — TÜV, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, or a national body operating under the IECEE CB Scheme. Cross-reference the certificate number in the IECEE CB Scheme database at iecee.org.
- Model scope: IEC 62619 certification is model-specific. Confirm that the exact product you are purchasing — including voltage, capacity, and form factor — is listed on the certificate. Certification does not automatically extend to variants.
- Standard version: The certificate should reference IEC 62619:2022. Certificates issued under earlier editions may not reflect current test requirements.
- Validity: Check the issue and expiry dates. Some testing bodies issue certificates with defined validity periods; others require periodic re-assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is IEC 62619 certification?
IEC 62619 is the international safety standard for secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial and stationary applications. Published by the IEC, it defines the mechanical, electrical, environmental, and BMS-level tests a battery must pass to be certified safe for use in energy storage systems, UPS, telecom infrastructure, and similar applications.
Q: Is IEC 62619 required for solar energy storage batteries?
In the European Union, IEC 62619 compliance is required as part of the CE marking pathway for stationary energy storage products. In other markets it may not be legally mandated, but it is widely expected by commercial buyers, system integrators, and project developers as a baseline safety qualification.
Q: What is the difference between IEC 62619 and IEC 62133?
IEC 62619 applies to stationary and industrial lithium batteries — including ESS, UPS, and telecom backup. IEC 62133 applies to portable consumer batteries such as those in power tools and electronics. For any solar storage or commercial ESS product, IEC 62619 is the correct standard. A supplier citing IEC 62133 for an ESS product is referencing the wrong certification for the application.
Q: What is the difference between IEC 62619 and UN38.3?
UN38.3 is a transport safety standard — it governs whether a lithium battery is safe to ship by air, sea, or land. IEC 62619 governs whether a battery is safe to operate. Both are typically required for export, but they address entirely different aspects of battery safety.
Q: How do I verify that a battery is genuinely IEC 62619 certified?
Request the certificate from the supplier and cross-reference the certificate number in the IECEE CB Scheme database at iecee.org. Confirm that the certified model matches the product being supplied, that the issuing body is accredited, and that the certificate references IEC 62619:2022 rather than a superseded edition.
Q: Does IEC 62619 certification cover all lithium battery chemistries?
Yes. IEC 62619 applies to secondary lithium cells and batteries regardless of chemistry — including LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate), NMC, and other formulations — as long as the application falls within the industrial and stationary scope of the standard.
Conclusion
IEC 62619 is the operational safety standard that matters most when purchasing a lithium energy storage system — distinct from transport certifications like UN38.3, which only covers shipping. For EU markets it is a compliance requirement; for all others, it remains the most reliable independent signal of battery safety. When evaluating a supplier, request the certificate, verify the model scope in the IECEE database, and confirm the issuing body is accredited.
Marketing Director| Focused on ESS · BSLBATT
Aydan is a Marketing Director and energy storage specialist at BSLBATT, focusing on residential, commercial, and off-grid battery solutions. He works closely with solar distributors, installers, and EPC companies across global markets, supporting the design and deployment of reliable energy storage systems.
Post time: May-08-2026