On December 29, 2022, the SAC (Standardization Administration of the People's Republic) released a new national standard GB 31241-2022 Lithium Ion Cells and Batteries Used in Portable Electronic Equipment—Safety technical specification. It is set to take effect on January 1, 2024 and will replace GB 31241-2014 on the same day.
The GB standard specifies, among other things, safety specifications and test methods of lithium-ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic devices. It applies to the following categories:
Portable office products: laptop, tablet, etc.
Mobile communication products: mobile phone, cordless phone, walkie-talkie, etc.
Portable audio/video products: portable TV, camera, video recorder, etc.
Other portable products: electronic navigator, gaming console, mobile power bank, etc.
Compared with GB 31241-2014, the new version mainly incorporates the following updates:
Introduced requirements for sample volume test and sample preprocessing
Added several required and optional safe operating parameters, such as end of discharge voltage, lower limited charging temperature, etc.
Added required labeling content, such as nominal energy, nominal voltage, etc.
Amended and added requirements for several electrical and environmental safety testing methods
Upon coming into force, the manufacturing, trading or import of portable electronic devices that contain lithium-ion cells and batteries shall satisfy the test requirements and other specifications stipulated in the document.
