January Regulatory Update
China: Guidelines for Health Assessment of Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles released
2025-01-06
They entered into force on December 3, 2024.
They entered into force on December 3, 2024.
On December 3, 2024, the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the China National Fire and Rescue Administration released the Guidelines for Health Assessment of Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles.
These Guidelines aim to mitigate the risk of fire accidents caused by aging or poorly maintained lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles (e-bikes).
These Guidelines do not apply to batteries used in other electric vehicles, such as electric motorcycles and scooters, nor to lithium-ion batteries used for non-power applications, or other types of e-bike batteries, such as lead-acid or sodium-ion batteries.
The Guidelines provide general and technical criteria to assess whether a lithium-ion battery is no longer safe for use and should be retired. The assessment process is outlined in five key steps:
1. Visual Inspection: Check the battery for visible damage, such as leaks, severe deformation, burn marks, or signs of poor installation, such as mismatched components.
2. Battery Label Check: Verify the battery label for essential information, including the product logo, nominal voltage, rated capacity, and other relevant details.
3. Internal Resistance Test: Measure the battery’s internal resistance to ensure it does not exceed 0.5Ω.
4. Voltage Check: Measure the battery's maximum output voltage after a full charge to confirm it is no greater than 60V.
5. Discharge Capacity Test: Calculate the battery’s discharge capacity attenuation rate to ensure it does not exceed 50%.
1. Visual Inspection: Check the battery for visible damage, such as leaks, severe deformation, burn marks, or signs of poor installation, such as mismatched components.
2. Battery Label Check: Verify the battery label for essential information, including the product logo, nominal voltage, rated capacity, and other relevant details.
3. Internal Resistance Test: Measure the battery’s internal resistance to ensure it does not exceed 0.5Ω.
4. Voltage Check: Measure the battery's maximum output voltage after a full charge to confirm it is no greater than 60V.
5. Discharge Capacity Test: Calculate the battery’s discharge capacity attenuation rate to ensure it does not exceed 50%.
If a battery fails any of these assessments, it is recommended that it be handed over to certified health assessment outlets or recycling services for proper disposal and recycling.
Manufacturers, sellers, after-sales service providers, and other third-party organizations involved in the electric bicycle industry may offer health assessment services for lithium-ion batteries. These services should be provided by personnel equipped with the necessary tools and expertise, in accordance with the Guidelines.
EU: Batteries - Technical Suggestions for Calculation, Recycling Efficiency and Recovery of Materials published
Bahrain: List of Withdrawn National Standard Specifications and Technical Regulations published
2025-01-07
It entered into force on December 13, 2024.
It entered into force on December 13, 2024.
On December 12, 2024, the Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Commerce released the Resolution No.109 in the official gazette.
The Resolution contains a list of 158 national standards and technical regulations that are being repealed concerning different sectors as textiles, electrical and electronic devices, machinery, medical devices, industrial safety and more. The following are some examples:
• BH GSO ISO 2410:2016, Household refrigerators - Methods of test for the information of the consumer.
• BH GSO 2590:2022, Head cloth– woollen shemagh and wool blended shemagh.
• BH GSO IEC 60216-5:2011, Electrical insulating materials - Thermal endurance properties - Part 5: Determination of relative thermal endurance index (RTE).
• BH GSO IEC 60245-2:2015, Rubber insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750V - Part 2: Test methods.
• BH GSO ISO 12952-3:2016, Textiles -- Burning behaviour of bedding items - Part 3: General test methods for the ignitability by a small open flame.
• BH GSO ISO 5149:2016, Mechanical refrigerating systems used for cooling and heating - Safety requirements.
• BH GSO ISO/TR 14510:2016, Textiles - Industrial laundering procedures for textile rental and industrial laundering.
• BH GSO ISO 2410:2016, Household refrigerators - Methods of test for the information of the consumer.
• BH GSO 2590:2022, Head cloth– woollen shemagh and wool blended shemagh.
• BH GSO IEC 60216-5:2011, Electrical insulating materials - Thermal endurance properties - Part 5: Determination of relative thermal endurance index (RTE).
• BH GSO IEC 60245-2:2015, Rubber insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750V - Part 2: Test methods.
• BH GSO ISO 12952-3:2016, Textiles -- Burning behaviour of bedding items - Part 3: General test methods for the ignitability by a small open flame.
• BH GSO ISO 5149:2016, Mechanical refrigerating systems used for cooling and heating - Safety requirements.
• BH GSO ISO/TR 14510:2016, Textiles - Industrial laundering procedures for textile rental and industrial laundering.
Refer to the document attached for the full list of standards.
Related links
Resolution No. 109, 2024
Related links
Resolution No. 109, 2024
China: New Mandatory National Standards approved
Luxembourg: New European Standards list released
Netherlands: General Product Safety decree approved
Northern Ireland (UK): Guidance for placing products on the market
Peru: New Technical Standards on Electrical Appliances approved
Thailand: TIS 60335-2(7) - Particular Requirements for Washing Machines
Argentina: Technical Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labelling published
2025-01-08
It entered into force on November 27, 2024, with a staged approach for compliance. By March 5, 2026 at the latest, manufacturers and importers must ensure that the products in scope of this regulation include the new energy efficiency labels.
The Argentina Secretary of Industry and Commerce of the Ministry of Economy published on November 26, 2024, Resolution 438/2024, which approves the Technical Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labelling. It incudes the products in scope, the generic label, a sample label for each product category in scope, and the conformity assessment requirements:
- Declaration of Conformity (DoC) including the information declared in the label and the information requested in Annex V of this regulation.
- Test report of the applicable IRAM standards or equivalent international standards detailed in Annex 2, from a OOA (Argentinian Accreditation Body) accredited laboratory or from international accredited laboratories with a signed MRA (Mutual Recognition Agreement) with OAA.
- Declaration of Conformity (DoC) including the information declared in the label and the information requested in Annex V of this regulation.
- Test report of the applicable IRAM standards or equivalent international standards detailed in Annex 2, from a OOA (Argentinian Accreditation Body) accredited laboratory or from international accredited laboratories with a signed MRA (Mutual Recognition Agreement) with OAA.
By March 5, 2026 at the latest, manufacturers and importers must ensure that the products in scope of this regulation include the new energy efficiency labels. Commercialization of existing products with obsolete labels will cease on March 5, 2028.
Indonesia: Impact of expiration of the Directorate General Decree No. 109 on acceptance of test reports from overseas test centers
2025-01-09
Test results reports (LHUs) issued by foreign laboratories after January 1, 2025, are no longer accepted until such laboratories are re-designated under the latest regulations. LHUs issued before January 1, 2025, can still be used for certification purposes for up to 6 months from that date.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) has announced that Kepdirjen No. 109/2024 regarding the Designation of Foreign Testing Laboratories for the Certification of Telecommunication Equipment and/or Devices has officially expired as of December 31, 2024.
LHUs issued by foreign test centers after January 1, 2025, are no longer accepted for the certification process until the overseas test center is re-established with the latest regulations.
South Korea: New Standard - Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Measurement Procedure for Wireless Communication Devices released
Chile: Announcement that DEKRA Chile obtained ISO 27001:2022 Certification
2025-01-06
This significant achievement highlights DEKRA´S commitment to maintaining and managing customers data securely and confidential.
On December 19, 2024, DEKRA Chile obtained the ISO 27001:2022 certification (standard for information security management systems).
This significant achievement highlights our commitment to maintaining and managing customers data securely and confidential. The certification scope includes the areas of GMA (Including ITA and SEC), Wireless Laboratory, Green Energies and Consulting.
Yemen: DEKRA Shanghai designated as Notified Body for the Yemen Energy Efficiency Scheme