- National Compulsory Certification (Most Important)
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) does not have a unified battery certification system, so you must confirm this for each target country.
Indonesia – SNI Certification
Applicable Products: Lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, etc.
Regulator: Bureau of Standards and Public Administration (BSN).
Requirement: Batteries included in the mandatory SNI product catalog must be tested in Indonesia and obtain the SNI mark. Without SNI certification, products cannot be legally sold in Indonesia.
Key Point: The certification process involves factory inspections and product sampling tests. It is recommended to communicate with the certification body in advance.
Thailand – TISI Certification
Applicable Products: Secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries), such as lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries.
Regulator: Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI).
Requirements: Batteries included in the TISI mandatory catalogue must be certified and affixed with the TISI mark. Certification typically includes a factory inspection and product testing.
Key Point: TISI certification is crucial for market access, and it’s important to closely monitor standard updates.
Malaysia – ST/SIRIM Certification
Applicable Products: Almost all electronic and electrical products and their components, including batteries.
Regulatory Authorities: Standards Malaysia and SIRIM QAS International.
Requirements: As regulated products, batteries must obtain ST (Safety) certification and affix the SIRIM mark. Importers must apply for certification from SIRIM.
Key Point: Applications are typically made by local importers in Malaysia.
Vietnam – CR Mark Certification
Applicable Products: Batteries and devices containing batteries included in the mandatory product list.
Regulatory Authorities: Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOIT) and relevant quality inspection agencies (QUATEST).
Requirements: Requires testing according to Vietnamese standards (TCVN) and obtaining the CR mark. Certification can be done through type certification or batch testing.
Key Point: Certification applications can be submitted by overseas manufacturers through their local representatives.
Philippines – ICC/PS Certification
Applicable Products: Some battery products are included in the list of compulsory product certifications.
Regulator: Bureau of Standards (BPS), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Requirements: Obtain an Import Commodity Clearance Certificate (ICC) or Philippine Standard (PS) certification and affix the corresponding mark.
Key Point: Confirming whether your battery product is on the compulsory list is the first step.
Singapore – CPS Certification
Applicable Products: Batteries under a regulated consumer protection (safety) scheme.
Regulator: Enterprise Singapore (ESG).
Requirements: Suppliers (usually locally registered companies) must ensure that their products meet safety standards and register as “Registered Suppliers.” Products must be designated with a “Singapore Safety Mark.”
Key Point: The responsible party is the registered supplier in Singapore, but Chinese exporters must provide all necessary test reports and technical documentation to support their registration.
II. International Standards and Certifications Based on Battery Type (Enhancing Competitiveness)
Even if the target country doesn’t mandate these standards, obtaining these internationally recognized certifications will significantly enhance your product’s market competitiveness.
IEC 62133 / IEC 62619
IEC 62133: Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary batteries (containing alkaline or other non-acidic electrolytes). This is the most basic and widely recognized international safety standard for lithium-ion batteries used in consumer electronics. Many countries’ standards are based on or reference it.
IEC 62619: Safety requirements for secondary and accumulator batteries for industrial use. Applicable to large lithium batteries used in energy storage systems, industrial equipment, and other applications.
Related Certifications: CB Scheme certifications are often based on these IEC standards, allowing for easy transfer to other countries.
CB Scheme Certification
This is a global mutual recognition system operated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). A single test and a single CB report can be easily accepted by certification bodies in other member countries, allowing for quick certification in that country (such as TISI, SIRIM, etc.), saving time and costs.
Battery Passport/Carbon Footprint (Emerging Requirement)
With the global emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues, the Southeast Asian market, especially local manufacturers exporting to the EU, has begun to focus on battery sustainability.
Requirements: Provide information such as battery carbon footprint accounting, supply chain due diligence (e.g., conflict mineral-free), and recycled content. While not mandatory at present, this is a future trend.
III. Other Important Compliance Considerations
Labeling and Instruction Manual Requirements:
Each country has specific regulations for battery labeling, which typically include: voltage, capacity (Ah or Wh), positive and negative terminals, production date, manufacturer information, safety warnings, etc.
Instructions must be in the official local language (e.g., Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, etc.).
WEEE and Battery Recycling Regulations:
Some Southeast Asian countries have begun to establish or improve recycling systems for waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries. Exporters/manufacturers may need to assume Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), register, or pay recycling fees.
Customs Code and Importer Qualifications:
An accurate HS Code is the basis for customs clearance and determines tariffs and regulatory requirements.
Certification in most countries requires a local importer as the applicant or responsible party. Finding a reliable and compliant local partner is crucial.
Summary and Recommended Actions
To successfully export batteries to Southeast Asia, we recommend the following steps:
Define your target market: Identify the specific countries you will be exporting to.
Confirm your product classification: Determine whether your batteries are for consumer electronics, industrial equipment, or energy storage systems, and whether they are lithium or lead-acid batteries.
Consult a professional organization: Work with a certification consulting firm or testing laboratory familiar with the regulations of the target country to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date list of requirements.
Prepare technical documents: Prepare your product’s specifications, circuit diagrams, BMS (battery management system) specifications, bill of materials, and existing test reports (such as UN38.3, IEC 62133, etc.) in advance.
Find local partners: Establish connections with reliable importers in your target country, as they are often a key step in the certification process.
In summary, UN 38.3 plus the target country’s mandatory certification (such as SNI, TISI, SIRIM, etc.) is the fundamental compliance framework for exporting to Southeast Asia, while international standard certification (such as IEC 62133) is a powerful tool for enhancing product credibility and market acceptance. Ensure thorough due diligence to ensure export compliance.