China Introduces Mandatory Safety Standard for Lithium Batteries: GB 44240-2024
China has released GB 44240-2024 — “Safety Requirements for Secondary Lithium Cells and Batteries Used in Electrical Energy Storage Systems”, marking a significant shift in how lithium-ion batteries are regulated for the Chinese market.
Issued in July 2024 and coming into force on 1 August 2025, this standard sets mandatory compliance requirements for manufacturers supplying energy storage or stationary lithium batteries to China.
Although primarily targeting electrical energy storage systems (ESS), GB 44240-2024 also covers many non-EV lithium-ion battery packs used in stationary or consumer applications, including:
- Backup power for telecom, routers, and servers
- Home energy storage (solar + battery systems)
- Portable power stations and UPS units
- Industrial and commercial stationary battery packs
- Safety and emergency lighting systems
- Medical and communication backup systems
⚠️ Electric vehicle (EV) traction batteries remain under separate GB/T and GB standards.
In practice, any lithium-ion pack or module intended for stationary or hybrid energy use — especially those rated ≥100 Wh or used in modular ESS setups — may fall within this framework when marketed or used in China.
⚙️ Key Safety & Testing RequirementsGB 44240-2024 strengthens existing frameworks such as IEC 62619 and UL 1973, introducing new or stricter tests to ensure safety across the product lifecycle:
- Thermal propagation tests — to assess cell-to-cell fire spread.
- Shallow penetration and forced discharge — simulating internal shorts and abuse conditions.
- Vibration, impact, and temperature cycling tests — verifying durability under environmental stress.
- Mandatory labeling and documentation — battery packs must include rated voltage, energy, manufacturer, production date, and safety warnings in Chinese.
- Lifecycle traceability — manufacturers must maintain safety records, maintenance procedures, and incident response measures from production to disposal.
Compliance with GB 44240 will be a prerequisite for market access in China.
For companies exporting lithium-ion batteries or ESS systems, the new regulation means:
- Products must be tested and certified under GB 44240 before import or sale.
- Design modifications may be needed for insulation, enclosure strength, venting, and BMS safety.
- Testing labs and certification bodies (such as CQC) are establishing programs — early testing is recommended.
- Manufacturers certified under IEC 62619, UL 1973, or CSA C22.2 should perform a gap analysis to identify additional requirements under GB 44240.
GB 44240-2024 is China’s response to increasing incidents of ESS-related fires and explosions, aiming to enhance public safety and supply-chain accountability.
The standard brings China closer to global norms while introducing unique local requirements that may surpass international expectations in certain safety tests.
If you develop, test, or certify lithium-ion battery packs, modules, or stationary systems, start preparing now:
- Review your product range to determine applicability under GB 44240-2024.
- Coordinate with accredited Chinese labs to plan certification timelines.
- Update design documentation, labeling, and safety instructions per the new requirements.
- Train design and quality teams on lifecycle compliance and traceability expectations.
BlidCert Summary:
GB 44240-2024 introduces a new era of mandatory safety control for lithium-ion batteries in China.
Compliance is no longer optional — it’s the key to continued access to one of the world’s largest energy storage markets.
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