IEC 60086-4:2019

Primary batteries - Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

IEC 60086-4:2019 specifies tests and requirements for primary lithium batteries to ensure their safe operation under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse. NOTE Primary lithium batteries that are standardized in IEC 60086-2 are expected to meet all applicable requirements herein. It is understood that consideration of this part of IEC 60086 might also be given to measuring and/or ensuring the safety of non-standardized primary lithium batteries. In either case, no claim or warranty is made that compliance or non-compliance with this standard will fulfil or not fulfil any of the user’s particular purposes or needs. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Revised criteria for an explosion;
b) Addition of test parameters for the overdischarge test of battery types FR14505 and FR10G445;
c) Addition of a new subclause 5.1 Validity of Testing;
d) revised pictogram E in Table D.1;
e) Addition of Annex E with requirements for child resistant packaging of coin cells;
f) Addition of Annex F with recommendations on the use of the KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN safety sign.
Keywords: lithium batteries
The contents of the corrigendum of October 2019 and April 2020 and the Interpretation sheet of May 2020 have been included in this copy.

Piles électriques - Partie 4: Sécurité des piles au lithium

IEC 60086-4:2019 spécifie les essais et les exigences pour les piles électriques au lithium afin d’assurer leur fonctionnement en toute sécurité dans les conditions d’utilisation prévue et en cas de mauvais usage raisonnablement prévisible. NOTE Les piles électriques au lithium qui sont normalisées dans l'IEC 60086-2 sont prévues pour satisfaire à toutes les exigences applicables ci-dessous. Il est entendu que la présente partie de l’IEC 60086 pourrait également être prise en compte pour mesurer les piles électriques au lithium non normalisées et/ou s'assurer qu'elles sont sures. Dans les deux cas, il n’existe aucune déclaration ou garantie que la conformité ou la non-conformité à la présente norme répondra ou ne répondra pas aux objectifs ou aux besoins particuliers de l'utilisateur. Cette cinquième édition annule et remplace la quatrième édition parue en 2014 dont elle constitue une révision technique. La présente édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) Mise à jour des critères pour une explosion;
b) Ajout de paramètres pour l'essai de décharge excessive des piles des types FR14505 et FR10G445;
c) Ajout d'un nouveau paragraphe 5.1 Validité des essais;
d) mise à jour du pictogramme E dans le Tableau D.1;
e) Ajout de l'Annexe E avec des exigences relatives aux emballages à l'épreuve des enfants d'éléments de type bouton;
f) Ajout de l'Annexe F avec des recommandations sur l'utilisation du signal de sécurité TENIR HORS DE PORTEE DES ENFANTS.
Mots-clés: piles électriques
Le contenu du corrigendum d'octobre 2019 et d'avril 2020 ainsi que la feuille d'interprétation de mai 2020 a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 24-Apr-2019
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.220.10 - Primary cells and batteries
• Technical Committee: TC 35 - Primary cells and batteries
• Drafting Committee: MT 15 - TC 35/MT 15
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 10-May-2019
• Completion Date: 25-Apr-2019

Relations

• Corrected By: IEC 60086-4:2019/COR2:2020 - Corrigendum 2 - Primary batteries - Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Corrected By: IEC 60086-4:2019/COR1:2019 - Corrigendum 1 - Primary batteries - Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60086-4:2014 - Primary batteries - Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 60086-4:2019/ISH1:2020 - Interpretation sheet 1 - Primary batteries - Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60086-4 ®
Edition 5.0 2019-04
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Primary batteries –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
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IEC 60086-4 ®
Edition 5.0 2019-04
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Primary batteries –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.220.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-6891-9

 IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60086-4
Edition 5.0  2019-04
PRIMARY BATTERIES –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

INTERPRETATION SHEET 1
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 35: Primary cells and
batteries.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
35/1445/DISH 35/1448/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

___________
Question 1
In looking at IEC 60086-4 Edition 5.0 2019-04, I thought it was difficult to understand all of the
marking requirements for swallowable batteries as well as the purpose of those requirements.
Could you provide a detailed explanation?
Answer 1
The following list of statements reflects the intention of Table 9 and presents an interpretation
of certain parts of Clause 9, and Annex F:
a) Table 9 is intended to summarize requirements that are found in the text, namely in 7.2 a),
9.1 and 9.2, and in Annex F.
ICS 29.220.10
– 2 – IEC 60086-4:2019/ISH1:2020
 IEC 2020
b) The structure of table 9 is similar to the list in 9.1 (items "a)" to "f)") and 9.2 (items "a)" thru
"b)").
c) From item a) in 9.2 it is not clear what exactly is required to appear on the packaging and
what on the battery: the safety sign alone (Table D.1 item E, or Figure F.1) or the complete
product safety label (Figure 9).
The purpose of measures to prevent accidental ingestion of batteries is to eliminate the
opportunity for children to get stuck batteries in the oesophagus.
The battery that requires measures to prevent accidental ingestion is a swallowable battery size
which fits within the limits of the ingestion gauge and is applied to direct sale in consumer-
replaceable applications in which children have opportunity to contact swallowable batteries.
There is no description requiring the marking of Caution for ingestion on battery/cell with a
diameter of 20 mm or more in the text. However, due to the consideration of measures to
prevent accidental ingestion, it was determined that the marking of Caution for ingestion on a
battery/cell with a diameter of 20 mm or more is needed and its requirement is shown in Table 9.
Therefore, a pictogram must be engraved as a substitute of Caution for ingestion due to a
battery/cell with a diameter of 20 mm or more having no space to display the marking.
The type of "caution for ingestion" that is required on the immediate packaging of swallowable
batteries is one of the safety signs as shown in Figure F.1. Where there is enough space on
the packaging, additional information per Figure 9 (the safety label or only its text) can be
printed on the packaging or accompanying safety information about battery handling.
Table 1 of this Interpretation Sheet summarizes the requirements for marking of lithium button
cells.
Table 1 – Marking requirements for swallowable batteries
Diameter Requirement(s)
d < 16 mm Cautionary advice in the form of the words KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN or the
safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the immediate packaging.
16 mm ≤ d < 20 mm Child resistant packaging and cautionary advice in the form of the words KEEP OUT OF
REACH OF CHILDREN or the safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the immediate packaging.
d ≥ 20 mm Child resistant packaging, cautionary advice in the form of the words KEEP OUT OF REACH
OF CHILDREN or the safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the immediate packaging, and the
safety symbol E of Table D.1 on the positive side of the battery.
NOTE If applicable, the cautionary advice in the form of words should appear in one or more languages as
appropriate for the market on which the cells and batteries are placed.

Question 2
From 9.2 and in particular 9.2 a), it is not clear which kind of batteries are intended for direct
sale in consumer-replaceable applications?
Answer 2
The kind of batteries that are included are those with general packaging such as blister packs
sold in stores and on the internet, batteries packed with equipment and batteries which are
contained in equipment and can be replaced by the consumer.
Question 3
Annex F is marked as "Informative", however "requirements" is stated in the title of Table 9.
When referring to Table 9, do we have to consider Annex F as "normative" ?

 IEC 2020
Answer 3
Annex F contains supplementary material, the main text in the body of the standard takes
priority over it. Therefore, even if Annex F is informative, the content listed in Table 9 has to be
considered as requirements.
Question 4
In E.3.2 b), it is difficult to understand the test method of the torsion test. It is not clear how to
twist "three times in both directions".
Answer 4
Following is an explanation how and how many times to twist the packaging and in which order
to proceed.
① First time – Hold the packaging with the fingers of one hand on each of its shorter sides from
the state of 0 degrees (neutral state without torsion). Twist it diagonally with a torsion angle of
45° in opposite directions as shown in Figure E.2.
② Second time – Twist it diagonally 90° (45° back + 45° opposite direction) in opposite
directions to the direction twisted at the first time
③ Third time – Return to neutral state without torsion (45° back)
④ Movements ①, ② and ③ are counted as 1 time (1 reciprocation) and are repeated 25 times
(25 reciprocations).
Figure 1 of this Interpretation Sheet shows the movements of the torsion test. The red and blue
lines represent the left and right edge of the packaging. The triangles and circles were added
to keep track of the orientation during movements.

– 4 – IEC 60086-4:2019/ISH1:2020
 IEC 2020
Figure 1 – Torsion test
Question 5
From 9.2 b), Table 9, and Annex E, it is not clear what the transition period is for the requirement
of "Child resistant package" ?
Answer 5
The transition period is the same as Marking and packaging requirements, namely 2 years from
the publication date of the fifth edition of IEC 60086-4.

– 2 – IEC 60086-4:2019 RLV  IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 2
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Requirements for safety . 11
4.1 Design . 11
4.2 Quality plan . 11
5 Type testing and sampling . 11
5.1 Validity of Testing . 11
5.2 Test samples . 12
6 Testing and requirements . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.1.1 Test application matrix . 12
6.1.2 Safety Cautionary notice . 13
6.1.3 Ambient temperature . 13
6.1.4 Parameter measurement tolerances . 13
6.1.5 Predischarge . 14
6.1.6 Additional cells . 14
6.2 Evaluation of test criteria . 14
6.2.1 Short-circuit . 14
6.2.2 Excessive temperature rise . 14
6.2.3 Leakage . 14
6.2.4 Venting . 14
6.2.5 Fire . 15
6.2.6 Rupture . 15
6.2.7 Explosion . 15
6.3 Tests and requirements – Overview . 15
6.4 Tests for intended use . 16
6.4.1 Test A: Altitude . 16
6.4.2 Test B: Thermal cycling . 16
6.4.3 Test C: Vibration . 17
6.4.4 Test D: Shock . 18
6.5 Tests for reasonably foreseeable misuse . 19
6.5.1 Test E: External short-circuit. 19
6.5.2 Test F: Impact . 19
6.5.3 Test G: Crush . 20
6.5.4 Test H: Forced discharge . 21
6.5.5 Test I: Abnormal charging . 21
6.5.6 Test J: Free fall .
...

IEC 60086-4 ®
Edition 5.0 2019-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Primary batteries –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries
Piles électriques –
Partie 4: Sécurité des piles au lithium
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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
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latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

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IEC 60086-4 ®
Edition 5.0 2019-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Primary batteries –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

Piles électriques –
Partie 4: Sécurité des piles au lithium

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.220.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-6808-7

– 2 – IEC 60086-4:2019  IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Requirements for safety . 11
4.1 Design . 11
4.2 Quality plan . 11
5 Type testing and sampling . 11
5.1 Validity of Testing . 11
5.2 Test samples . 12
6 Testing and requirements . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.1.1 Test application matrix . 12
6.1.2 Cautionary notice. 13
6.1.3 Ambient temperature . 13
6.1.4 Parameter measurement tolerances . 13
6.1.5 Predischarge . 14
6.1.6 Additional cells . 14
6.2 Evaluation of test criteria . 14
6.2.1 Short-circuit . 14
6.2.2 Excessive temperature rise . 14
6.2.3 Leakage . 14
6.2.4 Venting . 14
6.2.5 Fire . 15
6.2.6 Rupture . 15
6.2.7 Explosion . 15
6.3 Tests and requirements – Overview . 15
6.4 Tests for intended use . 16
6.4.1 Test A: Altitude . 16
6.4.2 Test B: Thermal cycling . 16
6.4.3 Test C: Vibration . 17
6.4.4 Test D: Shock . 18
6.5 Tests for reasonably foreseeable misuse . 19
6.5.1 Test E: External short-circuit. 19
6.5.2 Test F: Impact . 19
6.5.3 Test G: Crush . 20
6.5.4 Test H: Forced discharge . 21
6.5.5 Test I: Abnormal charging . 21
6.5.6 Test J: Free fall . 22
6.5.7 Test K: Thermal abuse. 22
6.5.8 Test L: Incorrect installation . 22
6.5.9 Test M: Overdischarge. 23
6.6 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 25
6.7 Evaluation and report . 25
7 Information for safety . 25

7.1 Safety precautions during design of equipment . 25
7.1.1 General . 25
7.1.2 Charge protection . 26
7.1.3 Parallel connection . 26
7.2 Precautions during handling of batteries . 26
7.3 Packaging . 29
7.4 Handling of battery cartons . 29
7.5 Transport . 29
7.5.1 General . 29
7.5.2 Air transport. 29
7.5.3 Sea transport . 29
7.5.4 Land transport . 29
7.6 Display and storage . 29
7.7 Disposal . 30
8 Instructions for use . 30
9 Marking and packaging . 31
9.1 General . 31
9.2 Swallowable batteries . 31
9.3 Safety pictograms . 31
Annex A (informative) Guidelines for the achievement of safety of lithium batteries . 33
Annex B (informative) Guidelines for designers of equipment using lithium batteries . 34
Annex C (informative) Additional information on display and storage . 36
Annex D (informative) Safety pictograms . 37
D.1 General . 37
D.2 Pictograms . 37
D.3 Instruction for use . 38
Annex E (normative) Child resistant packaging of co
...