The engineering decision
Create an applicability matrix with the responsible compliance reviewer and laboratory before freezing the design. Record the edition, market adoption and exact tested configuration.
Have these inputs ready
- Destination markets and transport modes
- Application and installation environment
- Cell, pack and equipment configuration
- Existing reports and planned design changes
Four evidence boundaries to resolve
Scroll horizontally to view the full diagram →
Choose standards by intended use
UN transport testing addresses a cell or battery type under the transport framework. The relevant shipment rules also address packaging, state of charge where applicable, labeling and documentation. A test report alone does not define every requirement for a particular shipment.
IEC 62133-2 addresses portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries. IEC 62619 addresses industrial secondary lithium cells and batteries, including stationary uses and specified motive applications; road vehicles are outside that industrial motive scope. Product-specific standards can take precedence.
For North American projects, candidate battery and system standards vary by application. A battery evaluation and an installed energy-storage system evaluation are distinct. The local jurisdiction, customer specification and applicable certification scheme determine which evidence is required.
| Object / use | Candidate framework | Review output |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium cell or battery transport | UN Manual, subsection 38.3 + modal rules | Tested type, summary and shipment classification |
| Portable secondary lithium battery | IEC 62133-2 with applicable amendments/adoption | Battery safety assessment scope |
| Industrial lithium battery | IEC 62619; product-specific requirements | Industrial application boundary |
| Stationary / auxiliary battery | UL 1973 where applicable | Battery evaluation scope |
| Light electric vehicle / EV battery | UL 2271 / UL 2580 where applicable | Vehicle-category determination |
| Complete energy-storage system | UL 9540 where applicable | System certification scope |
| ESS thermal-runaway fire behavior | UL 9540A test method where applicable | Test report, configuration and installation conditions |
Example: one battery, several approval questions
Consider a hypothetical industrial mobile robot shipped internationally with a removable lithium battery. The transport workstream identifies how the battery is shipped and which tested configuration is covered. The industrial-battery workstream checks whether the intended use fits the chosen battery standard. The equipment workstream covers the integrated robot and its charging system.
A UL 9540A report describes thermal-runaway and fire-propagation test results for the tested construction. UL 9540 addresses the complete energy-storage system. Verify the report edition, test level, installation conditions and separate system certification status. UL Solutions currently describes both fifth- and sixth-edition test programs; select the edition required by the applicable code and project.
If the same battery is later proposed for a stationary backup installation, reassess the application and installation requirements. Shared cells or voltage do not establish that the earlier evidence covers the new use. Maintain an explicit decision record for each boundary.
| Question | Evidence to collect | Decision owner |
|---|---|---|
| What exact battery is shipped? | Model, configuration, test report and summary | Transport compliance reviewer |
| What safety scope covers the battery? | Intended use and standard edition | Battery laboratory / compliance lead |
| What changes when installed? | Equipment hazards, charger and controls | Equipment compliance lead |
| What local installation rules apply? | Location and system architecture | Responsible local reviewer |
Treat design changes as evidence-impact decisions
A new cell, protection setting, topology or enclosure can alter the assumptions behind a test result. Compare the change with the tested type and the relevant change provisions. Some changes need additional evaluation or testing. Document the decision against the governing rules with the responsible compliance reviewer and, where a certification scheme applies, the certification body.
Keep the approved bill of materials, firmware/configuration, drawings and test sample identity tied to the report. Ask the reviewer to document the coverage decision before the changed design enters production.
The UN publication family used for this scope review is Revision 8 with Amendment 1 (2025). Official IEC scope abstracts were checked; this page does not reproduce licensed test clauses. Standards scope review date: 16 September 2026.
Measurement & validation procedure
| Test / review | Record | Acceptance condition |
|---|---|---|
| Classify application and markets | Cell/pack/equipment/installation matrix | Each boundary has a named reviewer and target framework |
| Check evidence identity | Model, revisions, tested construction and reports | Evidence covers the proposed configuration |
| Review every design change | Change description and written impact decision | Required re-evaluation is closed before release |
Continue this engineering task
Related engineering guidance
Prepare the evidence for review
- Markets, application and installation
- Battery and equipment drawings
- Existing reports and test summaries
- Change list against the tested configuration
Technical sources & claim support
References support the stated engineering principles. Worked examples use their explicitly stated assumptions.
- UNECE: UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Rev.8 and Amendment 1 ↗
Subsection 38.3; 38.3.2.2 type changes; 38.3.5 test summary; Amendment 1 (2025)
Transport test framework. Applicable modal transport rules and shipment conditions require separate review.
- IEC 62619:2022 ↗
Official scope: industrial secondary lithium cells and batteries
Industrial-cell and battery safety scope; develop the conformity test plan from the full standard and applicable edition.
- IEC 62133-2:2017+AMD1:2021 ↗
Official scope: portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries
Portable battery safety scope, applicable amendments and national adoption.
- UL Solutions: Batteries and Energy Storage ↗
Industrial, mobility, portable and energy-storage service categories
Battery and system standards organized by intended application and installation.
- UL Solutions: Battery standards by application ↗
UL 1973, UL 9540/9540A, UL 2580 and UL 2271 application families
Select the applicable battery and system standards against the intended application and installation.
- UL Solutions: UL 9540A Test Method ↗
Test purpose, fifth- and sixth-edition programs and installation conditions
Fire-propagation testing for ESS; record the selected edition, test level and tested construction.
- UL 9540: Energy Storage Systems and Equipment ↗
Scope of system evaluation and use of UL 9540A test results
Use the edition adopted for the target project and jurisdiction.
Key claims and evidence
| Claim | Basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Transport and end-product safety have different scopes | inference | UNECE: UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Rev.8 and Amendment 1; IEC 62619:2022 |
| IEC 62619 covers industrial applications with scope exclusions | documentation | IEC 62619:2022 |
| IEC 62133-2 addresses portable secondary lithium cells and batteries | documentation | IEC 62133-2:2017+AMD1:2021 |
| Application determines candidate UL framework | documentation | UL Solutions: Battery standards by application |
| UL 9540 system evaluation and UL 9540A fire-propagation testing have distinct purposes | documentation | UL 9540: Energy Storage Systems and Equipment; UL Solutions: UL 9540A Test Method |