EN 62133-2 is the European adoption of the international standard IEC 62133-2, specifying safety requirements for portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries. Published by CENELEC (the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), it carries the full technical content of IEC 62133-2 and is the reference safety standard for portable lithium batteries placed on the European market under the Low Voltage Directive and, from August 2025, the EU Battery Regulation.
Published by: CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization)
Designation: EN IEC 62133-2:2017 / EN IEC 62133-2:2021
Based on: IEC 62133-2 (identical technical content)
UK equivalent: BS EN IEC 62133-2 (retained post-Brexit)
Scope
EN 62133-2 applies to portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries intended for use in portable applications including consumer electronics, power tools, medical devices, and portable computing equipment. The standard specifies the safety tests and requirements that lithium cells and batteries must meet to demonstrate that they do not present unacceptable hazards of fire, explosion, or toxic gas release under defined conditions of use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
Key Requirements and Tests
EN 62133-2 defines electrical abuse tests (overcharge, forced discharge, external short circuit), mechanical abuse tests (crush, drop, vibration), and environmental tests (thermal cycling, high temperature exposure). Cells and batteries must not catch fire or explode under any test condition. The standard also specifies requirements for cell and battery marking, documentation, and quality assurance to ensure consistent safe performance across production.
European Market Relevance
Compliance with EN 62133-2 is required for CE marking of portable lithium battery products under the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and General Product Safety Regulation. Harmonised standards such as EN 62133-2 create a presumption of conformity with the essential safety requirements of applicable EU directives when applied correctly. From August 2025, the EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) references EN 62133-2 within the conformity assessment framework for portable batteries placed on the European market. For UK market access, BS EN IEC 62133-2 is the equivalent standard under the UKCA marking regime.
Related Standards
IEC 62133-2 is the parent international standard. EN 62133-1 covers portable sealed secondary nickel (NiCd and NiMH) cells and batteries. EN 62368-1 addresses safety of audio/video, IT and communications equipment that incorporate lithium batteries. EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 sets the overarching regulatory framework for all batteries placed on the European market.
Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.
See also: UL 62133