Major Update to Nickel Systems Battery Safety Standard: IEC 62133-1:2026 Released

On March 6, 2026, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IECEE) officially released the new edition of the safety standard for Nickel Systems batteries: IEC 62133-1:2026 (Edition 2). Subsequently, on April 17, 2026, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) published the harmonized European version, EN IEC 62133-1:2026, which is scheduled to replace the previous version by April 30, 2029. This establishes a new global safety benchmark for the Nickel Systems battery industry.

 The key updates in the new standard are as follows: 

I. Terminology Optimization

In Chapter 3, definitions for "secondary battery," "portable battery," and "portable cell" have been removed to eliminate interpretative discrepancies across different standards.

In Clause 5.1, under potential hazards, the definition of "venting" has been refined from "venting" to "venting with continuous emission of flammable and/or toxic gas, and/or smoke."

II. Clarification of Test Conditions

In Clause 7.2.3, the "room temperature" condition in the battery high-temperature enclosure stress test has been quantified to "20°C ± 5°C," requiring products to demonstrate safety within this specific temperature range.

In Clause 7.2.4, the temperature profile diagram (Figure 1) for the temperature cycling test has been updated to clearly illustrate temperature monitoring points during charge/discharge processes.

In Clause 7.3.1, the requirement for incorrect (polarity) assembly of cells is now limited to equipment where the user replaces the cells.

III. Enhanced Assembly and Usage Guidelines

1. Prohibition of Mixing: A prohibition on mixing cells of different manufacturers, capacities, sizes, ages, or types within a battery has been added. Manufacturers must provide recommendations for an acceptable service life.

Do not mix cells of different manufacturer, capacity, size, age or type within a battery.

Manufacturer’s recommendation for acceptable age term should be obtained.

2. Storage Environment: Requirements prohibiting immersion in water (including seawater) and storage in environments prone to condensation have been added.

Keep cells and batteries clean and dry. Do not expose batteries to water, including sea water. Do not store batteries where condensation occurs.

3. Disposal: Explicit requirements for the responsible handling and recycling of cells and batteries have been added.

Dispose of cells and batteries responsibly.

The new standard further strengthens safety requirements for Nickel Systems batteries. With increasing market regulatory scrutiny, it is recommended that relevant enterprises promptly track updates to product certification standards to ensure compliance with the latest specifications. This protects the personal and property safety of end-users and mitigates risks of international trade recalls and losses.

As a compliance laboratory covering a wide range of electronic products, BTL holds CBTL qualifications that extend beyond Nickel Systems batteries to include lithium-based batteries, audio/video equipment, information technology and communication devices, as well as electromagnetic compatibility (CISPR 32). We provide enterprises with one-stop global market access compliance solutions, assisting clients in efficiently obtaining CB, CE, and national certifications, significantly shortening the time-to-market for new products.