Comprehensive Interpretation of National Standards for Lithium Battery Packs in China

Overview of National Standards for Lithium Battery Packs

In recent years, with the rapid development of electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and portable electronic devices, the safety and performance of lithium battery packs have become increasingly critical. To ensure the safe and reliable use of lithium battery packs, China has introduced a series of national standards, covering various application scenarios such as electric bicycles, energy storage systems, and portable electronics. These standards establish strict safety requirements and testing methods for lithium battery packs, aiming to reduce safety accidents and promote the healthy development of the industry.

Electric Bicycle Lithium Battery Pack Standards: GB 43854-2024

Background and Scope

The "Safety Technical Specification for Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles" (GB 43854-2024) is a mandatory national standard formulated to address the increasing safety issues associated with lithium-ion batteries in electric bicycles. This standard applies specifically to lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles as defined by the "Safety Technical Specification for Electric Bicycles" (GB 17761-2018), with a maximum output voltage not exceeding 60 volts. It does not apply to lithium-ion batteries used in electric scooters, balance bikes, electric motorcycles, or electric tricycles.

Key Safety Requirements

1. Monomer Battery Safety Tests:

• Overcharging Test: The monomer battery must withstand overcharging to 1.5 times its normal charging limit voltage or for a continuous period of 1.5 hours without catching fire or exploding. This test ensures the battery's resistance to overcharging, a common cause of thermal runaway.

• Needle Penetration Test: This test simulates internal short circuits caused by manufacturing defects or physical damage. The battery must not catch fire or explode when penetrated by a needle at a specified speed and depth.

2. Battery Pack Safety Tests:

• Overcharging and Over-discharging Protection: The battery pack must have protection circuits that prevent overcharging and over-discharging under both normal and single-fault conditions. This ensures the battery's safety during abnormal charging or discharging scenarios.

• External Short Circuit Protection: The battery pack must be able to withstand external short circuits without catching fire or exploding, even if the protection circuit fails.

• Thermal Runaway and Diffusion Test: The standard requires that in the event of thermal runaway in a single monomer battery, the fire must not spread rapidly to the entire battery pack. This test assesses the battery pack's ability to contain thermal runaway and prevent catastrophic failures.

Implementation and Impact

GB 43854-2024 came into effect on November 1, 2024. Since its implementation, all lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles produced and sold in China must comply with this standard. This has significantly improved the safety level of electric bicycle batteries, reduced the incidence of fires and explosions, and protected consumers' lives and property.

Energy Storage System Lithium Battery Pack Standards: GB 44240-2024

Background and Scope

The "Safety Requirements for Lithium Batteries and Battery Packs for Electrical Energy Storage Systems" (GB 44240-2024) is China's first mandatory national standard for energy storage lithium batteries. It applies to lithium batteries and battery packs used in various energy storage applications, including large-scale energy storage (grid-connected/off-grid), photovoltaic systems, fixed generator starting, central emergency lighting and alarm systems, and telecommunications.

Key Safety Requirements

1. Electrical Safety Tests:

• Enhanced Overcharging Test: In addition to traditional overcharging tests, GB 44240-2024 introduces a constant-voltage overcharging test for an additional hour, significantly increasing the total overcharging time and energy input. This test assesses the battery's ability to withstand prolonged overcharging without failure.

• High-Temperature External Short Circuit Test: The battery must withstand an external short circuit at an elevated temperature without catching fire or exploding. This test simulates extreme operating conditions and ensures the battery's safety under high-stress scenarios.

2. Mechanical Safety Tests:

• Vibration and Acceleration Impact Tests: These tests assess the battery's structural integrity and resistance to mechanical damage during transportation, installation, and operation. The battery must withstand specified vibration and impact forces without failure.

• Shallow Needle Penetration Test: This test evaluates the battery's safety in the event of internal short circuits caused by physical damage. The battery must not catch fire or explode when penetrated by a needle to a shallow depth.

3. Thermal Safety Tests:

• Thermal Runaway and Diffusion Test: Similar to the electric bicycle standard, GB 44240-2024 requires that in the event of thermal runaway in a single battery, the fire must not spread to other batteries within the pack. This test ensures the battery system's ability to contain thermal runaway and prevent cascading failures.

Implementation and Impact

GB 44240-2024 came into effect on August 1, 2025. As a mandatory standard, it has set a high safety threshold for the energy storage industry, promoting the transition from "cost competition" to "safety-first" development. The standard's implementation has accelerated the elimination of low-quality products, encouraged technological innovation, and enhanced the overall safety and reliability of energy storage systems.

Portable Electronic Device Lithium Battery Pack Standards: GB 31241-2022

Background and Scope

The "Safety Technical Specification for Lithium-ion Batteries and Battery Packs for Portable Electronic Equipment" (GB 31241-2022) is a mandatory national standard for lithium batteries used in portable electronic devices. It applies to lithium batteries and battery packs weighing no more than 18 kilograms, including laptops, tablets, mobile phones, portable media players, and power banks.

Key Safety Requirements

1. Electrical Safety Tests:

• High-Temperature External Short Circuit Test: The battery must withstand an external short circuit at an elevated temperature without catching fire or exploding. This test ensures the battery's safety under extreme operating conditions.

• Overcharging Test: The battery must withstand overcharging at 1.5 times the recommended charging current without catching fire or exploding. This test assesses the battery's resistance to overcharging, a common cause of battery failure.

2. Environmental and Mechanical Safety Tests:

• Low-Pressure Test: The battery must maintain its structural integrity and safety performance under low-pressure conditions, simulating high-altitude flight scenarios.

• Temperature Cycling Test: The battery must withstand repeated temperature cycles between extreme cold and heat without failure. This test assesses the battery's resistance to temperature-induced stress.

3. Battery Pack Protection Circuit Tests:

• Overvoltage and Overcurrent Protection Tests: The battery pack's protection circuit must reliably disconnect the charging or discharging path when the voltage or current exceeds safe limits. These tests ensure the protection circuit's effectiveness in preventing battery damage and safety accidents.

Implementation and Impact

GB 31241-2022 came into effect on January 1, 2024, replacing the previous version (GB 31241-2014). The updated standard reflects the rapid development of lithium battery technology and the increasing safety requirements for portable electronic devices. Its implementation has improved the safety level of portable electronic device batteries, reduced the incidence of battery-related accidents, and protected consumers' interests.