On December 29, 2022, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) released mandatory national standard GB 31241-2022 Lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipments—Safety technical specification. This standard will replace its 2014 version and come into effect on Jan 1, 2024.

This standard is China national specific standard without any connection of IEC standard.

GB 31241 applies to lithium-ion cells and batteries installed in laptop, table PC, mobile phone, wireless phone, interphone, portable TV, audio/video player, camera, recording pen, Bluetooth earphone, voice box, electronic navigation device, digital photo frame, game machine, e-book, portable power source, portable projects, and wearable devices.

This standard doesn’t apply to lithium-ion batteries for e-cigarette.

Compared with the 2014 version, the main change the new standard will bring include:

·  Change of definitions for terms including: lithium ion cell, lithium ion battery, upper limited charging voltage, upper limited charging temperature and upper limited discharging temperature.

·   Added definitions for terms including: nominal voltage, nominal energy, reference test current, limited charging voltage, end of discharge voltage, lower limited charging temperature, lower limited discharging temperature, allowable maximum surface temperature.

·   Deleted definition of terms including: venting, rupture.

·   Changed the voltage measuring tolerance and add the measuring tolerance for operating speed.

·   Modified the temperature measuring method, charging and discharging process for testing, sampling requirements, sample capacity test, sample pretreatment, testing items and testing orders.

·   Modified considerations of general safety, safety working parameter, labelling and precautionary statement in chapter 5 of 2014 version.

·   Modified high temperature external short circuit, overcharge and forced discharge; delete ambient external short circuit in chapter 6 of 2014 version.

·   Modified the low pressure, temperature cycle, vibration, acceleration impact and compression in chapter 7 of 2014 version.   

·   Modified the low pressure, temperature cycle, vibration, dropping and requirements on flame retardant in chapter 8 of 2014 version.

·   Modified overview, overvoltage charging, overcurrent charging and discharging, and reverse charging in chapter 9 of 2014 version and move the electrostatic discharge in to the sample pretreatment section.

·   Modified the overview, overcurrent charging and discharging protection in chapter 10. Delete high pressure resistance.

·   Changed the overview, charging and discharging temperature control in chapter 11.

·   Changed the consistency requirements and testing requirements in chapter 12.

·   Added sample working scope, swallowing gauge test kit, reference standard for key safety components, and test methods for flammability to the annexes.

·   Changed the testing order in annex C of the 2014 version.

·   Deleted sample of quality control process requirements, design and manufacturing process, working scope sample of lithium cobalt oxide and graphite system batteries, and the test kit for heavy impact n the annexes.

It is worth noting that this standard may include many technical requirements and test methods that are different from international standards, overseas manufacturers should be aware of its impact once implemented.

The implementing date is January 1, 2024. As this standard is different from IEC standard, the oversea manufacturers should read this standard carefully to check if your products comply with it.

If you need the English translation of this standard, please contact BESTAO consulting: assistant@bestao-consulting.com.