SC 21A - Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes

IEC 63338:2024 applies to the reuse and repurposing of secondary lithium ion and nickel-metal hydride cells and batteries after extraction from the application for which they were first placed on the market (hereafter "relevant cells and batteries").
This document does not permit reuse or repurposing of single cells or cell assemblies if battery lifetime traceability data are not recorded. See Clause 4. Swappable batteries such as those used in e-scooters are removed and installed by the user (such as for charging) without conducting a safety assessment (such as battery lifetime traceability data assessment) as part of intended use, which is not considered reuse or repurposing. This document does not cover system component reuse and repurposing. The original manufacturer can be contacted to confirm suitability of components for reuse and repurposing.
The primary purpose of this document is to provide basic guidance on the environmental aspects of reuse and repurposing of relevant cells and batteries; basic guidance on safety risks for the reuse and repurposing of relevant cells and batteries; basic guidance on original manufacturer warning notice on the applicability of a product for reuse or repurposing; and useful information regarding reuse and repurposing and relevant cell and battery regulations and standards to interested parties.

IEC 61960-4:2024 specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and other requirements for coin secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications, watches, and backup power supply such as memory backup applications. In particular, watch‑specific requirements are specified in Annex A. This document provides purchasers and users of coin secondary lithium cells and batteries with a set of criteria with which they can assess the performance of coin secondary lithium cells and batteries offered by various manufacturers. This document defines a minimum required level of performance and a standardized methodology by which testing is performed and the results of this testing are reported to the user. This document covers coin secondary lithium cells and batteries with a range of chemistries. Each electrochemical couple has a characteristic voltage range over which, during discharge, it releases its electrical capacity, a characteristic nominal voltage and a characteristic end‑of‑discharge voltage. Users of coin secondary lithium cells and batteries are requested to consult the manufacturer for advice. This document also provides guidelines for designers of equipment using lithium batteries (voir l'Annexe B).

IEC 63118-1:2024 specifies the general tests and requirements for the performance of lithium secondary batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V permanently installed in road vehicles not for propulsion. The replacement of secondary batteries permanently installed in road vehicles not for propulsion is covered by this document.
The following are typical applications that utilize the batteries under the scope of this document: power source for the starting of internal combustion engines, lighting, stop and start function, on-board auxiliary equipment and energy absorption for regeneration from braking.
This document includes:
- electrical characteristics tests methods and requirements;
- a life duration tests method.

IEC 62620:2014 specifies marking, tests and requirements for lithium secondary cells and batteries used in industrial applications including stationary applications. When there exists an IEC standard specifying test conditions and requirements for cells used in special applications and which is in conflict with this standard, the former takes precedence. (e.g. IEC 62660 series on road vehicles). The following are some examples of applications that utilize the cells and batteries under the scope of this standard.
- Stationary applications: telecom, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), electrical energy storage system, utility switching, emergency power and similar applications.
- Motive applications: fork-lift truck, golf cart, AGV, railway, and marine, excluding road vehicles.
This standard applies to cells and batteries. If the battery is divided into smaller units, the smaller unit can be tested as the representative of the battery. The manufacturer clearly declares the tested unit. The manufacturer may add functions, which are present in the final battery, to the tested unit.

IEC 61951-1:2017 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for secondary sealed nickel-cadmium small prismatic, cylindrical and button cells and batteries, suitable for use in any orientation, for portable applications.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of battery type;
- revision of Figure 3 (6.1.3.1);
- addition of “Optional pip” note to positive contact;
- changed leader line position from pip to flats of positive contact (B and G).

IEC 63115-1:2020 specifies the marking, designation, tests and requirements for sealed nickel­metal hydride cells and batteries used in industrial applications, including stationary applications.
When an IEC International Standard specifying test conditions and requirements for cells used in special applications is in conflict with this document, the former takes precedence (e.g. IEC 62675).
The following are some examples of applications that utilize the cells and batteries falling under the scope of this document.
• Stationary applications: telecom, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), electrical energy storage system, utility switching, emergency power and similar applications.
• Motive applications: fork-lift truck, golf cart, AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle), railway, and marine, excluding road vehicles.
Since this document covers batteries for various industrial applications, it includes those requirements that are common and minimum to the various applications.
This document applies to cells and batteries. If the battery is divided into smaller units, the smaller unit can be tested as representative of the battery. The manufacturer clearly declares the tested unit. The manufacturer can add functions to the tested unit that are present in the final battery.

IEC 62619:2022 specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial applications, including stationary applications. When there exists an IEC International Standard specifying test conditions and requirements for cells used in special applications and which is in conflict with this document, the former takes precedence (e.g., IEC 62660 series on road vehicles). The following are some examples of applications that utilize cells and batteries under the scope of this document:
- Stationary applications: telecom, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), electrical energy storage system, utility switching, emergency power, and similar applications.
- Motive applications: forklift truck, golf cart, automated guided vehicle (AGV), railway vehicles, and marine vehicles, with the exception of road vehicles.

IEC 63218:2021 provides requirements and recommendations on environmental aspects of secondary lithium, nickel cadmium and nickel-metal hydride cells and batteries for portable applications (hereafter referred to as “relevant secondary cells and batteries”).
Relevant secondary cells and batteries are specified within the scopes of IEC 61960-3, IEC 61960-4, IEC 61951-1, and IEC 61951-2.
NOTE Portable applications are defined in IEC 61960-3 as comprising hand-held equipment, transportable equipment, and movable equipment. See IEC 61960-3 for examples.
This document is not intended to be applied to batteries embedded in end-use products. Once the embedded battery is removed from an end-use product, this document becomes applicable to it.
The safety and control circuits as well as cases associated with relevant secondary batteries, except for those forming part of an end-use product, are covered by this document as parts of the relevant secondary batteries.

The contents of the corrigendum of December 2021 have been included in this copy.

IEC 62133-2:2017 specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries containing non-acid electrolyte, under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
This first edition cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 62133 published in 2012. It constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 62133:2012:
- separation of nickel systems into a separate Part 1;
- inclusion of coin cell requirements;
- update of assembly of cells into batteries (5.6);
- mechanical tests [vibration, shock] (7.3.8.1, 7.3.8.2);
- insertion of IEC TR 62914 within the Bibliography.

IEC-63115-2:2021 specifies designations, tests and requirements for the safe operation of sealed nickel-metal hydride cells and batteries used in industrial applications excluding road vehicles.
Since this document covers batteries for various industrial applications, it includes those requirements which are common and minimum to the various applications.

IEC 61960-4:2020 specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and other requirements for coin secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications and backup power supply such as memory backup applications.
The objective of this document is to provide the purchasers and users of coin secondary lithium cells and batteries with a set of criteria with which they can assess the performance of coin secondary lithium cells and batteries offered by various manufacturers.
This document defines a minimum required level of performance and a standardized methodology by which testing is performed and the results of this testing reported to the user. Hence, users will be able to establish the viability of commercially available cells and batteries via the declared specification and thus be able to select the cell or battery best suited for their intended application.
This document covers coin secondary lithium cells and batteries with a range of chemistries. Each electrochemical couple has a characteristic voltage range over which, during discharge, it releases its electrical capacity, a characteristic nominal voltage and a characteristic end-of-discharge voltage. Users of coin secondary lithium cells and batteries are requested to consult the manufacturer for advice.
This document also provides guidelines for designers of equipment using lithium batteries.

IEC 63056:2020 specifies requirements and tests for the product safety of secondary lithium cells and batteries used in electrical energy storage systems (Figure 2) with a maximum DC voltage of 1 500 V (nominal).
Basic safety requirements for the secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial applications are included in IEC 62619. This document provides additional or specific requirements for electrical energy storage systems.
Since this document covers batteries for various electrical energy storage systems, it includes those requirements which are common and minimum to the electrical energy storage systems.
Examples of appliances that are within the scope of this document are:
• telecommunications,
• central emergency lighting and alarm systems,
• stationary engine starting,
• photovoltaic systems,
• home (residential) energy storage systems (HESS), and
• large energy storage: on-grid/off-grid.
This document applies to cells and batteries for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
This document does not apply to portable systems 500 Wh or below, which are covered by IEC 61960-3.
The contents of the corrigendum of June 2021 have been included in this copy.

IEC 63057:2020 specifies safety tests and requirements for secondary lithium batteries permanently installed in road vehicles not for the propulsion. Replacement secondary batteries permanently installed in road vehicles not for propulsion are covered by this document.
The following are typical applications that utilize the batteries under the scope of this document: a power source for the starting of internal combustion engines, lighting, on-board auxiliary equipment, and energy absorption for regeneration from braking.
This document applies to batteries with a maximum voltage less than or equal to 60 V DC.
The batteries primarily used for propulsion of electric vehicles (EVs), including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are not covered by this document.

IEC 61951-2:2017 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for secondary sealed nickel-metal hydride small prismatic, cylindrical and button cells and batteries, suitable for use in any orientation, for portable applications.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of battery type;
- addition of ‘F’ (high recovery type) designation for cells and batteries;
- addition of ‘I’ (low self-discharge type) designation for cells;
- revision of Figure 3 (6.1.3.1);
- addition of “optional pip” note to positive contact;
- changed leader line position from pip to flats of positive contact (B and G).

IEC 62619:2017 specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial applications including stationary applications.
When there exists an IEC standard specifying test conditions and requirements for cells used in special applications and which is in conflict with this document, the former takes precedence (e.g., IEC 62660 series on road vehicles).
The following are some examples of applications that utilize cells and batteries under the scope of this document.
- Stationary applications: telecom, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), electrical energy storage system, utility switching, emergency power, and similar applications.
- Motive applications: forklift truck, golf cart, auto guided vehicle (AGV), railway, and marine, excluding road vehicles.
Since this document covers batteries for various industrial applications, it includes those requirements, which are common and minimum to the various applications.
Electrical safety is included only as a part of the risk analysis of Clause 8. In regard to details for addressing electrical safety, the end use application standard requirements have to be considered.
This document applies to cells and batteries. If the battery is divided into smaller units, the smaller unit can be tested as the representative of the battery. The manufacturer clearly declares the tested unit. The manufacturer may add functions, which are present in the final battery to the tested unit.

IEC 61960-3:2017 specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and other requirements for secondary lithium single cells and batteries for portable applications.
The objective of this document is to provide the purchasers and users of secondary lithium cells and batteries with a set of criteria with which they can judge the performance of secondary lithium cells and batteries offered by various manufacturers.
Portable applications comprise hand-held equipment, transportable equipment and movable equipment.
This first edition cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 61960 published in 2011. It is a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- adding definition of portable applications (Scope),
- update of examples of cells (Table 1 and 2),
- adding “Dimensions of the cell with a laminate film case” (Annex A),
- adding “Capacity after storage” (from the date of manufacture) (Annex B).

IEC 62133-1:2017 specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of portable sealed secondary nickel cells and batteries containing alkaline electrolyte, under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
This first edition cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 62133 published in 2012. It constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 62133:2012:
- separation of lithium systems into a separate Part 2;
- inclusion of button cell requirements.

IEC 60623:2017 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for vented nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary single cells. When there exists an IEC standard specifying test conditions and requirements for cells used in special applications and which is in conflict with this document, the former takes precedence.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- optional characterization of cells designed for performances at very low and/or very high temperature;
- optional characterization of cells tested with CCCV charge;
- optional characterization of cells designed for rapid charge;
- optional characterization of cells designed for high cycling.

IEC 62675:2014 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for sealed nickel-metal hydride prismatic secondary single cells.

IEC 61951-1:2013 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for portable sealed nickel-cadmium small prismatic, cylindrical and button rechargeable single cells, suitable for use in any orientation. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (2003) and its amendment 1 (2005) of which it constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of several new cell sizes;
- introduction of a new cell type J;
- creation of Annex A (informative): Capacity of batteries measurement.

IEC 60952-3:2013 defines requirements for the product specification as well as procedures for a Declaration of Design and Performance (DDP) for nickel-cadmium and lead-acid aircraft batteries containing vented or valve-regulated cells or monoblocs. The batteries are used for both general purposes and specific aerospace applications. The specific topics addressed in this part of 60952 series serve to establish acceptable quality standards required to qualify a battery as airworthy as defined in Clause 3 of IEC 60952-1:2013. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2004. This new edition includes requirements for defining the declaration of performance and specification details between supplier and purchaser.

IEC 60952-1:2013 defines test procedures for the evaluation, comparison and qualification of batteries and states minimum performance and environmental levels for airworthiness. Where specific tests are defined with no pass/fail requirement (to establish performance capability), the manufacturer's declared values, from qualification testing, will be used to establish minimum requirements for ongoing maintenance of approval for that design of battery. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2004. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes additional test requirements to meet the needs of the regulatory airworthiness authorities for both product performance and qualification.

IEC 60952-2:2013 defines the physical design, construction and material requirements for nickel-cadmium and lead-acid aircraft batteries containing vented or valve-regulated cells or monoblocs. The batteries are used for both general purposes and specific aerospace applications. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2004. This new edition includes those formats that can be standardized along with their connectors and electrical interfaces.

IEC 61951-2:2011 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for portable sealed nickel-metal hydride, small prismatic, cylindrical and button rechargeable single cells, suitable for use in any orientation. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2003 of which it constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- clause 4: addition of 2 parameters;
- clause 5: addition of cells type "S" and cells type "T";
- subclause 6.1.2: addition of new cylindrical cells;
- subclause 7.8: addition of a specific test for "S" cells.

This part of IEC 61951 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for portable sealed nickel-cadmium small prismatic, cylindrical and button rechargeable single cells, suitable for use in any orientation.

This International standard specifies tests and requirements for verifying the mechanical behaviour of sealed portable secondary cells and batteries during handling and normal use

This International Standard specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and other requirements for secondary lithium single cells and batteries for portable applications. The objective of this standard is to provide the purchasers and users of secondary lithium cells and batteries with a set of criteria with which they can judge the performance of secondary lithium cells and batteries offered by various manufacturers.

This International Standard specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and require-ments for vented nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary single cells where special provisions have been made in order to have partial or, under very specific conditions, full gas recombination.

This technical report identifies and recommends procedures to ensure that batteries for portable equipment are designed, manufactured and marketed according to good practice. Written to assist manufacturers of such batteries, (including designers and assemblers), it draws attention to design factors which should be included in a battery design and recommendations on how to get good electrical and life performance from batteries.

This part of IEC 61951 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and require-ments for portable sealed nickel-metal hydride, small prismatic, cylindrical and button rechargeable single cells, suitable for use in any orientation

Specifies tests and requirements for sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells.

This International Standard specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of portable sealed secondary cells and batteries (other than button) containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolyte, under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.

Specifies tests and requirements for vented nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary single cells.

specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for portable sealed nickel-cadmium small prismatic, cylindrical and button rechargeable single cells, suitable for use in any orientation. This International Standard is an amalgamation of all currently valid standards for portable sealed nickel-cadmium secondary single cells: IEC 60285, 1999, IEC 60509, 1988 and IEC 61440, 1997. It complies with the objective, which was to reduce the number of valid standards.

specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for portable sealed nickel-metal hydride, small prismatic, cylindrical and button rechargeable single cells, suitable for use in any orientation. This International Standard is an amalgamation of all currently valid standards for portable sealed nickel-metal hydride secondary single cells: IEC 61436, 1998 and IEC 61808 , 1999. It complies with the objective to reduce the number of valid standards, and does not introduce technical modifications in the original standards. If, in the future, this standard is amended, the relevant original standards will be cancelled.

Outlines the fundamental conditions necessary for the creation of each hazard. It includes identification and characterization of the possible hazards inherent in the application, use, and abuse of nickel-cadmium cells and batteries. It also includes examples for appliance design which minimizes these hazards. Additionally it presents some typical but non-exhaustive examples of misuse that may precipitate or actions which mitigate the hazard.

Applies to secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. It proposes a mathematically correct method of current designation which shall be used in future secondary cell and battery standards.

Specifies tests and requirements for sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells.

IEC TR 62914:2014 identifies experimental procedures for the forced internal short-circuit tests in terms of designation, dimensions, tests and requirements. This technical report provides supplemental information to perform the forced internal short-circuit test of IEC 62133:2012 (Subclause 8.3.9).

IEC 62133:2012 specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of portable sealed secondary cells and batteries (other than button) containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolyte, under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- update of assembly of cells into batteries (5.5);
- addition of design recommendations for lithium system only (5.6.2);
- separation of nickel systems and lithium systems (Clause 6);
- addition of specific requirements and tests for lithium systems (Clause 8);
- addition of charging of secondary lithium-ion cells for safe use (Annex A). The contents of the corrigendum of June 2013 have been included in this copy.

IEC 61960:2011 specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and other requirements for secondary lithium single cells and batteries for portable applications. The objective of this standard is to provide the purchasers and users of secondary lithium cells and batteries with a set of criteria with which they can judge the performance of secondary lithium cells and batteries offered by various manufacturers. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2003. It is a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- 7.6 Endurance in cycles: addition of an accelerated test procedure.