CETECOM ICT Appointed CATL for Battery Testing
July 24, 2008: Saarbruecken, Germany
CETECOM ICT Services has been approved for testing to CTIA certification requirements for Battery System Compliance to IEEE 1725, IEC 62133, UL 2054, UN ST-SGAC10-11 REV4 cl. 38.3, IEC/EN/UL 60950-1.
The accreditation refers to the complete testing program including Cell, Battery Pack, AC/DCDC/DC Adapter and Host Device validation, as well as audits of cell and battery pack manufacturing sites. As an established international consultancy, testing and certification organization, our battery expert team can provide a fast and cost effective gateway to CTIA Battery Certification registration.
Background: CTIA Battery Safety Program Following IEEE 1725
During the past years, following several incidents where cell phone batteries have burst serious safety concerns about the robustness of cell phone batteries have risen. In response to such consumer concerns as well as cellular network provider demands, the CTIA has created the "Battery Safety Certification Program." This program is based on the “IEEE 1725 Standard for Rechargeable Batteries for Cellular Telephones,”which was approved by the IEEE-SA Standard Board in March 2006.
The IEEE 1725 standard establishes the criteria that ensures rechargeable batteries used within cell phones to be stronger and more reliable. This standard applies to all types of rechargeable lithium ion (Li-Ion) and lithium ion polymer (Li-Ion polymer) batteries and battery packs for use in cell phones or other host devices with mobile functionality (e.g. Laptops). IEEE 1725 is
limited to battery packs consisting of single Li-Ion cell or battery packs with multiple Li-Ion cells connected in parallel. Battery packs with cells connected in series are outside the scope of this standard. Because of the nature of the interactions between the battery and the host device, IEEE 1725 includes also the validation of the adapter, the host device and the manufacturing
process.
The "Battery Safety Certification Program" has been implemented in two phases: 1) voluntary 2) mandatory.
In the voluntary phase, an interim program was introduced whereby the CTIA maintains a registry of systems declared to be compliant with IEEE 1725.
In the mandatory phase, a certification program is introduced whereby CTIA will certify systems for compliance to IEEE 1725. In this phase 3rd party testing and auditing by an accredited test lab will become compulsory.
Moreover, when the mandatory phase has fully been implemented, the certification program will become a requirement for PTCRB approval. From then on, all cell phones must have their batteries certified before being released to the U.S. or Canada. This means that all battery systems are required to undergo testing by an accredited third party test lab.
Which products are concerned?
All GSM Mobile or UMTS user appliances equipped with rechargeable lithium ion (Li-Ion) or lithium ion polymer (Li-Ion polymer) battery packs.
Who should be concerned?
Manufacturers who want to release their product to the U.S. or Canada.
What is an accredited third party test lab?
These are so-called CTIA Authorized Testing Laboratories (CATL). These independent laboratories have been approved for testing to CTIA certification requirements for Battery System Compliance to IEEE 1725. The purpose of this accreditation is (1) to ensure labs have a quality system and are technically competent to perform testing, and (2) to ensure ongoing lab compliance with Program requirements and industry standards.