Lithium-ion battery/UN38.3 certification
Introduction: With the rapid development of science and technology, lithium batteries have become an essential component of products in many industries due to their high efficiency and lightness. As a core component, the safe transportation of batteries has become the focus of international attention.
1. What is UN38.3?
UN38.3 is a mandatory test standard for lithium battery transportation safety in the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods. All lithium batteries (including lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries and equipment containing lithium batteries) must pass this certification before international transportation such as aviation, sea and land transportation to ensure their safety during transportation.
UN38.3 certification, namely Section 38.3 of Part 3 of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, which is formulated by the United Nations for the transportation of dangerous goods, is specifically for the transportation safety of lithium batteries. This certification covers various extreme environments and test requirements that lithium batteries may encounter during transportation, aiming to ensure that lithium batteries will not cause safety accidents such as explosions or fires due to external factors such as vibration, short circuit, high temperature or overcharging. Compliance with UN38.3 certification has become a key standard for the international transportation of lithium batteries.
2. Test items (8 items in total)
UN38.3 requires the following tests on lithium batteries to ensure their stability under extreme conditions:
T1 Altitude simulation: simulate low pressure environment (11.6kPa) to test whether the battery leaks, disintegrates or catches fire.
T2 Thermal test: extreme temperature cycle (-40℃ to +75℃) to verify the structural integrity of the battery.
T3 Vibration: simulate vibration during transportation, the battery should have no quality loss, leakage or abnormal function.
T4 Shock: half-sine shock wave test, the battery structure must remain intact.
T5 External short circuit: forced short circuit of positive and negative poles, the battery surface temperature ≤170℃ and no fire.
T6 Collision (only lithium metal batteries): simulate severe collision to test whether there is leakage or explosion.
T7 Overcharge (only lithium-ion batteries): charge at 2 times the rated voltage to observe whether it is safe.
T8 Forced discharge (only lithium metal batteries): check for rupture or fire after forced discharge.
III. Scope of application
1. Lithium-ion battery: energy density ≤100Wh (single cell) or ≤20Wh (battery pack).
2. Lithium metal battery: lithium content ≤1g (single cell) or ≤2g (battery pack).
3. Common products: digital, power, energy storage batteries, etc.
*Note: If the above limit is exceeded, an additional "dangerous goods transportation permit" must be applied for.
IV. Transportation requirements
Lithium batteries certified by UN38.3 must comply with the following transportation rules:
-Packaging: Comply with UN packaging standards (such as UN3480/UN3090), prevent short circuits and squeezes.
-Marking: Affix the "lithium battery logo" (Class 9 dangerous goods logo), indicate the UN number and contact information.
-Documents: Provide "Test Summary" and "MSDS Safety Data Sheet".
-Air transport restrictions: Large-capacity lithium batteries (such as lithium metal batteries with ≥30% power) are prohibited from being transported on passenger aircraft.
V. Certification process
1. Sample testing: 8 tests are completed by qualified laboratories (such as SGS, TÜV).
2. Document preparation: including test reports, specifications, circuit protection design instructions, etc.
3. Apply for certification: Submit materials to local transportation regulatory authorities (such as the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the US DOT).
4. Obtain certificate: After passing, UN38.3 certification is obtained, which is usually valid for 1 year (if the design/material changes, retesting is required).
V. Certification process
Lithium-ion battery/UN38.3 certification
Introduction: With the rapid development of science and technology, lithium batteries have become an essential component of products in many industries due to their high efficiency and lightness. As a core component, the safe transportation of batteries has become the focus of international attention.
1. What is UN38.3?
UN38.3 is a mandatory test standard for lithium battery transportation safety in the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods. All lithium batteries (including lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries and equipment containing lithium batteries) must pass this certification before international transportation such as aviation, sea and land transportation to ensure their safety during transportation.
UN38.3 certification, namely Section 38.3 of Part 3 of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, which is formulated by the United Nations for the transportation of dangerous goods, is specifically for the transportation safety of lithium batteries. This certification covers various extreme environments and test requirements that lithium batteries may encounter during transportation, aiming to ensure that lithium batteries will not cause safety accidents such as explosions or fires due to external factors such as vibration, short circuit, high temperature or overcharging. Compliance with UN38.3 certification has become a key standard for the international transportation of lithium batteries.
2. Test items (8 items in total)
UN38.3 requires the following tests on lithium batteries to ensure their stability under extreme conditions:
T1 Altitude simulation: simulate low pressure environment (11.6kPa) to test whether the battery leaks, disintegrates or catches fire.
T2 Thermal test: extreme temperature cycle (-40℃ to +75℃) to verify the structural integrity of the battery.
T3 Vibration: simulate vibration during transportation, the battery should have no quality loss, leakage or abnormal function.
T4 Shock: half-sine shock wave test, the battery structure must remain intact.
T5 External short circuit: forced short circuit of positive and negative poles, the battery surface temperature ≤170℃ and no fire.
T6 Collision (only lithium metal batteries): simulate severe collision to test whether there is leakage or explosion.
T7 Overcharge (only lithium-ion batteries): charge at 2 times the rated voltage to observe whether it is safe.
T8 Forced discharge (only lithium metal batteries): check for rupture or fire after forced discharge.
III. Scope of application
1. Lithium-ion battery: energy density ≤100Wh (single cell) or ≤20Wh (battery pack).
2. Lithium metal battery: lithium content ≤1g (single cell) or ≤2g (battery pack).
3. Common products: digital, power, energy storage batteries, etc.
*Note: If the above limit is exceeded, an additional "dangerous goods transportation permit" must be applied for.
IV. Transportation requirements
Lithium batteries certified by UN38.3 must comply with the following transportation rules:
-Packaging: Comply with UN packaging standards (such as UN3480/UN3090), prevent short circuits and squeezes.
-Marking: Affix the "lithium battery logo" (Class 9 dangerous goods logo), indicate the UN number and contact information.
-Documents: Provide "Test Summary" and "MSDS Safety Data Sheet".
-Air transport restrictions: Large-capacity lithium batteries (such as lithium metal batteries with ≥30% power) are prohibited from being transported on passenger aircraft.
V. Certification process
1. Sample testing: 8 tests are completed by qualified laboratories (such as SGS, TÜV).
2. Document preparation: including test reports, specifications, circuit protection design instructions, etc.
3. Apply for certification: Submit materials to local transportation regulatory authorities (such as the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the US DOT).
4. Obtain certificate: After passing, UN38.3 certification is obtained, which is usually valid for 1 year (if the design/material changes, retesting is required).
V. Certification process
