IEC 63218-2021 PDF

Full title and description

Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non‑acid electrolytes — Secondary lithium, nickel‑cadmium and nickel‑metal hydride cells and batteries for portable applications — Guidance on environmental aspects. This international standard provides requirements and recommendations addressing the environmental aspects of secondary lithium, Ni‑Cd and Ni‑MH cells and batteries used in portable applications, including guidance on lifecycle considerations, materials, marking and end‑of‑life handling for relevant secondary cells and batteries.

Abstract

IEC 63218:2021 gives guidance on environmental aspects of secondary (rechargeable) cells and batteries for portable applications. It is intended to assist manufacturers, designers and other stakeholders in minimising environmental impact across product life stages and to harmonise environmental information and marking for cells and batteries that fall within the scopes of IEC 61960‑3, IEC 61960‑4, IEC 61951‑1 and IEC 61951‑2. The document clarifies applicability (not intended for batteries while embedded in end‑use products) and covers associated safety/control circuits and cases when they form part of the relevant secondary batteries.

General information

• Status: International Standard (published).
• Publication date: 30 August 2021.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Technical Committee TC 21 / SC 21A.
• ICS / categories: 29.220.30 (Environment; secondary cells and batteries).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2021).
• Number of pages: 65 pages.

Key bibliographic and categorisation details above are taken from the IEC publication record for IEC 63218:2021.

Scope

IEC 63218:2021 provides requirements and recommendations on environmental aspects for secondary lithium, nickel‑cadmium and nickel‑metal hydride cells and batteries intended for portable applications (hand‑held, transportable and movable equipment). The standard applies to cells and batteries within the scopes of IEC 61960‑3, IEC 61960‑4, IEC 61951‑1 and IEC 61951‑2. It is not intended to be applied to batteries while embedded in end‑use products; however, once removed from an end‑use product the document becomes applicable. Safety and control circuits and cases associated with the relevant secondary batteries are covered except where they remain an integral part of an end‑use product.

Key topics and requirements

• Guidance on environmental lifecycle aspects for secondary lithium, Ni‑Cd and Ni‑MH cells and batteries (materials selection, manufacturing impacts and end‑of‑life considerations).
• Requirements and recommendations for environmental marking and information provision to support transport, recycling and disposal.
• Applicability rules tying this guidance to cells/batteries covered by IEC 61960 and IEC 61951 series documents.
• Clarification on treatment of batteries embedded in end‑use products versus standalone batteries.
• Consideration of associated safety/control circuits and cases when they form part of the battery assembly (outside end‑use products).

These topics reflect the document’s purpose to harmonise environmental information and reduce environmental impacts for portable secondary batteries.

Typical use and users

Primary users include battery manufacturers, product designers, environmental compliance teams, recyclers, test laboratories, regulators and procurement organisations that specify environmental requirements for portable rechargeable batteries. The standard is used to inform product design decisions, labelling and documentation for transport and end‑of‑life management, and to align manufacturer environmental statements with internationally recognised guidance.

Related standards

IEC 63218:2021 is related to and references the IEC series that define cells and batteries for portable applications, notably IEC 61960‑3 and IEC 61960‑4 (secondary lithium cell and battery requirements) and IEC 61951‑1 and IEC 61951‑2 (Ni‑Cd and Ni‑MH battery requirements). It is prepared by TC 21/SC 21A which develops standards for secondary cells and batteries and should be considered alongside applicable national and regional environmental, transport and recycling regulations.

Keywords

secondary cells, batteries, lithium, nickel‑cadmium, nickel‑metal hydride, portable applications, environmental aspects, lifecycle, marking, end‑of‑life, recycling, IEC 61960, IEC 61951.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 63218:2021 is an international standard providing guidance and requirements on environmental aspects of secondary (rechargeable) lithium, Ni‑Cd and Ni‑MH cells and batteries intended for portable applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers environmental lifecycle considerations, marking and information for transport/recycling, applicability to cells and batteries defined in the IEC 61960 and 61951 series, and guidance on associated safety/control circuits and cases when they form part of a relevant battery assembly. It does not apply to batteries while embedded in an end‑use product.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Battery and cell manufacturers, product designers, compliance and environmental teams, recyclers, testing laboratories and procurers who need harmonised guidance on environmental aspects of portable secondary batteries.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 63218:2021 is the first edition (Edition 1.0) published on 30 August 2021. The IEC record lists the publication as current with a stability date indicated in the IEC catalogue. Users should check the IEC catalogue or national standards body for any amendments or revisions after 2021.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: This document complements parts of the IEC 61960 and IEC 61951 series (which specify requirements for secondary lithium and Ni‑Cd/Ni‑MH cells and batteries for portable applications) and was developed under TC 21/SC 21A. It should be used in conjunction with those normative series for full technical and safety requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Secondary cells, rechargeable batteries, lithium, Ni‑Cd, Ni‑MH, portable applications, environmental guidance, lifecycle, marking, end‑of‑life, recycling, IEC 61960, IEC 61951.