Eurofins Electrical & Electronics provides comprehensive battery testing and certification solutions, serving as a single source for various battery chemistry types, whether as stand-alone products or integrated within larger systems.

Our services prioritise the integrity, reliability, performance, and safety of battery products. Through advanced technology and automation, we can conduct extensive testing that simulates real-world conditions, including installation, transportation, ageing, and environmental extremes such as earthquakes, temperature fluctuations, flooding, and fire.

This meticulous approach ensures compliance with diverse national and international regulations, helping to identify hazards, mitigate risks, and validate physical integrity, ultimately bringing safe and dependable battery products to market.

Battery Testing Services

• Comprehensive Compliance & Certification: We offer end-to-end testing and global certification capabilities to ensure adherence to a wide array of national and international regulations and directives. 
  This covers all battery chemistry types and is designed to meet the specific requirements for both stand-alone batteries and those integrated into equipment.
  
  
• Product Scope: Testing capabilities extend to both primary and secondary batteries at the cell and pack levels, addressing the specific needs of different battery configurations and applications.
  Specialised services are available for secondary cells and batteries used in portable applications, including nickel and lithium systems.
  
  
• Abuse and Environmental Simulation: Testing involves simulating the rigorous abuse a battery might endure, including conditions during installation, transportation, and prolonged ageing.
  Furthermore, batteries are tested for their resilience and physical integrity under challenging environmental conditions such as earthquakes, adverse temperatures, flooding, and fire.
  
  
• Safety and Performance Validation: Employing the latest technology and automated software, Eurofins Electrical & Electronics works to identify potential hazards, minimise risk, and maximise accuracy. This approach helps to reduce testing cycles and definitively validate the physical integrity and safe performance of battery products across their intended lifespan and operating conditions.
  
  
• Specific Test Categories: A broad range of tests are performed to verify various aspects of battery performance and safety
  
  
• Electrical Tests: Including short circuit, abnormal charging, and forced discharge to assess electrical safety and resilience.
  
  
• Mechanical Tests: Such as crush, impact, and vibration tests to determine physical robustness.
  
  
• Environmental Tests: Assessing performance and integrity under conditions of extreme temperature, humidity, and exposure to fire.
  
  
• Performance Tests: Including life cycle testing and precise capacity measurement to evaluate long-term reliability and efficiency.
  
  
• Adherence to Industry Standards: We offer performance testing to ensure compliance with numerous government, regulatory, and industry standards, vital for market access and product acceptance.
  
  These include
  • IEEE standards: Such as IEEE 1625 and IEEE 1725, often pertaining to rechargeable batteries for portable computing devices.
  • GR-CORE standards: Including GR-4228-CORE, GR-3150-CORE, GR-3168-CORE, and GR-3020-CORE, which are relevant for telecommunications equipment and related power systems.
  • IEC standards: Such as IEC 61960 (secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications), IEC 61959 (secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes), IEC 60896-11, IEC 60896-21, IEC 60896-22 (for stationary lead-acid batteries), and IEC 62133 (for secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes for portable applications).
  • SAE J2380: A standard for abuse testing of automotive lithium-ion cells.
  • UL standards: Including UL 2054 (for household and commercial batteries) and UL 1642 (for lithium batteries).
  • UN/DOT 38.3: Crucial for the safe transport of lithium batteries, ensuring they can withstand conditions encountered during shipment.
  • VZ.TPR.9802: A specific telecommunications standard.

Cells and batteries

We offer primary and secondary battery testing at both cell and pack level for compliance with the following standards and certifications for lead-acid (VRLA, SLA, etc.), nickel (NiMH, NiC, etc.) and lithium (Li-ion & Li-metal) systems, including:

• IEC/EN 60086-1; primary batteries general requirements
• IEC/EN 60086-2; primary batteries physical and electrical specifications
• IEC/EN 60086-5; safety of primary batteries with aqueous electrolyte
• IEC/EN 62133-1; safety of lithium ion batteries
• IEC/EN 62133-2; secondary cells and batteries safety requirements for portable sealed lithium cells and batteries for portable applications
• IEC/EN 60896-11; stationary lead-acid batteries vented types general requirements and methods of test
• IEC/EN 60896-21; stationary lead-acid batteries valve regulated types methods of test
• IEC/EN 60896-22; stationary lead-acid batteries valve regulated types requirements
• UN/DOT 38.3; transportation testing for lithium batteries
• IEEE 1625; rechargeable batteries for multi-cell mobile computing devices
• IEEE 1725; rechargeable batteries for cellular telephones
• GR-4228-CORE; valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery string certification levels based on requirements for safety and performance
• GR-3150-CORE; generic requirements for secondary non-aqueous lithium batteries
• GR–3168–CORE; nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery systems for telecommunications use
• GR-3020-CORE; nickel cadmium batteries in the outside plant
• SAE J2380; vibration testing of electric vehicle batteries
• UL 2054; safety of household and commercial batteries
• UL 1642; safety of lithium batteries
• VZ.TPR.9802; valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery qualification test requirements
• SAE J2380; vibration testing of electric vehicle batteries

Electric accumulators (portable cells and batteries)

Specific tests and certifications are available for attaining compliance for secondary cells and batteries for portable applications, including nickel and lithium systems:

• IEC/EN 61960; secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes, secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications, prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells and batteries made from them
• IEC/EN 62133; Lithium system secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes safety requirements for portable sealed secondary lithium cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications
• IEC/EN 61951-1; Nickel-Cadmium secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes, secondary sealed cells and batteries for portable applications
• IEC/EN 61951-2; Nickel-metal hydride secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non acid electrolytes, secondary sealed cells and batteries for portable applications
• IEC/EN 61959; Mechanical test for Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes, for sealed portable secondary cells and batteries

Test criteria evaluated

The test criteria evaluated varies depending on the battery chemistry-type, application and whether the product under test is a primary or secondary cell, battery or accumulator. For example lithium metal and lithium ion batteries require transport specific tests for UN 38.3 compliance and VRLA batteries require GR-4228-Core safety and performance testing for the telecommunication industry.

• Specification
  
  • Markings and designations
  • Dimensions
• Performance
  
  • Discharge test
  • Shelf life and charge retention
  • Capacity measurement
  • Battery cycling test
  • Battery life test
• Mechanical
  
  • Impact
  • Crush
  • Shock earthquake simulation
  • Vibration
  • Drop tests (free-fall)
• Safety and Electrical
  
  • Short-circuit tests
  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
  • Gassing
  • Operational safety
  • Thermal runaway
  • Leakage test incorrect installation
  • Reverse polarity
  • Over charging
  • Over discharge
  • Forced discharge
  • Continuous charging
• Environmental
  
  • Altitude simulation (low pressure)
  • Temperature
  • Humidity immersion
  • Salt-fog
  • Fire propagation & projectile hazard

Global Network and Local Expertise 

Benefit from our worldwide network of accredited laboratories and local experts who understand specific country requirements, ensuring seamless support across different regions and time zones.

Optimised Testing and Efficiency 

Our participation in global schemes like the IECEE CB Scheme allows for the potential acceptance of testing across multiple countries, reducing the need for expensive retesting and accelerating your product launch. 

Comprehensive, Single-Source Service

We offer an integrated approach covering all aspects of global compliance, from initial review and gap analysis to testing, certification, and ongoing support, acting as your single point of contact.