IEC 62620 specifies designation, marking, and performance requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries intended for industrial applications, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It is the performance counterpart to IEC 62619, which covers safety. Together they form the primary IEC framework for lithium batteries used in industrial applications including stationary energy storage, industrial vehicles, uninterruptible power supplies, and motive power systems.
Published by: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Current edition: IEC 62620:2014, amended by AMD1:2023
Companion standard: IEC 62619 (industrial Li safety), IEC 61960-3 (portable Li performance)
Scope
IEC 62620 applies to secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in industrial applications where rated capacity exceeds 2.5 Ah, or where the cells are not covered by the portable battery standards (IEC 61960 series). It covers prismatic, cylindrical, and pouch lithium-ion cells and batteries used in stationary BESS, industrial fork-lift trucks and AGVs, rail traction auxiliary power, marine applications, and large-format UPS systems. The standard defines a designation system for industrial lithium cells and specifies the performance tests that characterise them.
Key Requirements
IEC 62620 defines a designation system for industrial lithium cells that encodes chemistry, shape, dimensions, capacity, and terminal configuration into a standardised code — enabling unambiguous specification of cells in procurement documents and technical datasheets. Performance tests include rated capacity measurement, charge retention after storage, cycle life at defined charge/discharge conditions, and performance at elevated and reduced temperatures. The standard also specifies requirements for cell marking and documentation.
Relevance to Battery Engineering
For battery engineers specifying large-format lithium cells for industrial BESS, fork-lift, or stationary applications, IEC 62620 provides the standardised performance characterisation framework used to compare cells from different manufacturers on a consistent basis. The designation system is particularly useful in procurement and supply chain contexts where cells must be specified unambiguously. Combined with IEC 62619 safety data, IEC 62620 performance data gives a complete picture of industrial lithium cell behaviour across the key parameters needed for system design — capacity, energy density, cycle life, and temperature performance.
References: IEC 62620:2014+AMD1:2023 CSV, IEC Webstore
Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.