electric vehicle
EV battery testing and certification
An electric vehicle battery cell, module or pack.
EV battery — conformity scope
For an EV battery, the file carries cell/module/pack-level safety, transport (UN 38.3) and vehicle-approval requirements together. Battery legislation also imposes carbon-footprint, recycled-content and battery-passport obligations; their timetable varies by product type.
The list below is the European Union framework. The same product falls under a different mark and approval regime in another market; Smart Service Finder shows that market's requirements when you select it.
Regulation
EV battery legislation that typically comes into play for
The following is the European Union framework and shows typical application. Which title actually applies depends on the class, intended use and components of the product; The scope is determined by examining the product.
Carbon footprint declaration, recycled content and the battery passport for batteries; the performance class for EV batteries took effect in August 2026.
Transport safety of lithium cells and batteries; the T1–T8 series is applied in the defined order.
Approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles. The battery system is assessed as part of vehicle type-approval.
Vehicle and battery system approval under requirements specific to electric drivetrains.
Restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Standards
Standards typically referenced in the dossier
- IEC 62660-1
- IEC 62660-2
- IEC 62660-3
- ISO 12405-4Test conditions for electric vehicle lithium battery packs
- ISO 6469-1
- UL 2580Safety in electric vehicle batteries
- SAE J2464
- SAE J2380
- UN 38.3Transport safety tests on lithium batteries
What is required?
Each item links to the relevant service page: the legislation entry to the certification scheme, the test family to the laboratory page, and the mark to the market page.
European Union — required mark
5- CE — European UnionThe umbrella for entering the EU market; all regulations applicable to the product are met.
- EMC — European UnionElectromagnetic Compatibility Directive — emission and immunity requirements.
- RoHS — European UnionRestriction of hazardous substances in electrical equipment; part of the CE declaration.
- REACH — European UnionChemical legislation — not covered by CE, but affects almost all products.
- E-Mark — European UnionVehicle and component type approval; mandatory for road registration.
Required legislation
4- UNECE R10 — vehicle EMCUnder type approval
- UNECE R100 — electric powertrain safety
- Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
- RoHS
Required tests
5- Automotive TestingOEM specifications and ISO 16750
- Battery TestingUN 38.3 and IEC 62660
- EMC / EMI TestingCISPR 25 and ISO 11452
- Vibration & Shock
- Environmental & Climatic Testing
Required certificates
3- E-Mark type approvalFor the vehicle and components
- Automotive Quality Management (IATF 16949) CertificationRequired across the supply chain
- CoP — conformity of productionMaintaining the type approval
What must be in the technical file
6- Type approval application file
- UN 38.3 transport test summary
- Battery passport data (once in scope)
- Conformity of production (CoP) plan
- Material and component traceability records
- Details of the authorised representative or importer established in the EU
How does the process work?
The flow below is a general order independent of product type; timing and acceptance criteria are determined by the standard the product falls under.
1Defining the scope
It is determined which legislation the product falls under based on its technical characteristics and intended use.
2Testing and evaluation
Tests are planned for the applicable headings; results are evaluated according to the relevant standards.
3Technical file
Design, production and test records are compiled in the technical file, accompanied by a risk assessment.
4Declaration or certificate
Depending on the product group, the manufacturer's declaration is prepared or third-party certification is carried out.
EV battery which market is it going to?
Who bears the obligation, where the test will be performed, and what customs will require all vary by market.
What changes depending on the market?
Same product, different regimen
- European UnionCarbon-footprint and performance-class declaration under the Batteries Regulation; UNECE R100 and the type-approval framework apply on the vehicle side. A UN 38.3 report is mandatory for transport.
- United KingdomThe UKCA regime carries the same technical requirements into its own legislation; CE marking is recognised indefinitely for many product groups.
- United StatesElectric vehicle safety under FMVSS 305, a battery safety assessment under UL 2580; UN 38.3 for transport.
- ChinaEV battery safety requirements under GB 38031 and CCC certification apply.
Products in the same group
EV battery — let's work out the scope together
Share the product's technical characteristics; let us tell you in writing which headings apply to your scope and which tests are required.
This result is a starting roadmap, not a conformity assessment. Which legislation a product falls under depends on its technical characteristics, intended use and user group; it is only finalised by examining the product. You may have an obligation not shown in the list, and an item shown here may not apply to your product.