Research on Grading, Cascade Utilization, and End-of-Life Standards/Regulations for Lithium-Ion Batteries


With the rapid advancement of technology, lithium‑ion battery packs are playing an increasingly critical role in our daily lives—providing powerful propulsion for electric vehicles, supporting energy storage systems, and ensuring reliable everyday mobility for e‑bikes. Yet, as their applications expand, ensuring robust quality control throughout the battery’s entire lifecycle, promoting responsible cascade utilization, and managing safe end‑of‑life disposal have become pressing issues that demand urgent attention.
The “Lithium-Ion Battery Quality Grading and Evaluation Specification,” meticulously developed by the China Electronics Quality Management Association, clearly defines that grading must take into account key parameters such as capacity, internal resistance, and voltage, and further subdivides these into Grades A, B, C, and D, thereby establishing a precise benchmark for battery quality assessment. Meanwhile, a series of standards issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology offer comprehensive guidance: in the realm of cascade utilization, they provide rigorous definitions of residual‑energy requirements, set adaptation criteria for various application scenarios, and impose strict labeling regulations for cascade‑use products, thus ensuring the scientific soundness and regulatory compliance of this practice. As for end-of-life disposal, whether due to visible defects such as physical damage or leakage, missing critical information on labels, or failure to meet technical specifications, clear disposal guidelines are laid out to safeguard safety at all times.
These standards embody the collective wisdom and efforts of all stakeholders, aiming to provide a framework for lithium… Battery PACK The industry is establishing a comprehensive and viable regulatory framework that, while fostering robust growth, safeguards environmental integrity and consumer rights, ensuring that lithium-ion batteries deliver their full potential at every stage and ushering in a new era of green, efficient, and sustainable energy.
 

Research on Grading, Cascade Utilization, and End-of-Life Standards/Regulations for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Category Relevant standard number Standard/Specification Name Summary of Terms Competent Department/Unit
Grading Standards None “Quality Grading and Evaluation Specification for Lithium-Ion Batteries” 1. Key parameters to be considered in the grading criteria include: capacity, internal resistance, voltage, energy density, cycle life, and self-discharge rate.
2. Classify into four levels: Level A, Level B, Level C, and Level D.
China Electronics Quality Management Association
Requirements for Cascade Utilization (GB/T 34015.3-2021) “Recycling and Utilization of Automotive Power Batteries—Second-Life Use—Part 3: Requirements for Second-Life Use” 1. Requirements for residual energy:
1) The application scenario is second-life battery products for automotive batteries, with remaining capacity. 60%;
2) The application scenario is energy storage batteries, and for other applications, the proportion of second-life battery products shall be ≥50%.

2. Regulations on Battery Products Not Suitable for Cascade Utilization
  The discharge capacity reaches the manufacturer‑specified end-of-life criterion or falls below 40% of the nominal capacity.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
(GB/T 34015.4-2021) “Recycling and Utilization of Automotive Power Batteries—Second-Life Use—Part 4: Labeling of Second-Life Products” 1. Cascade‑use battery products must bear conspicuous product identification and labeling.
2. The labeling of cascade‑use products consists of symbols, text, numerals, signs, and other explanatory information.
3. The label for cascade‑use products consists of two elements: a recycling symbol in the form of an equilateral triangle and a battery symbol.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Scrapping Requirements None Guideline for Health Assessment of Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Electric Bicycles Vehicles shall be scrapped if any of the following conditions is met:
1. Appearance
  The exterior exhibits obvious damage, leakage, significant deformation, or signs of ablation.
2. Labeling and Marking
  No brand or manufacturer information is indicated on the product; parameters such as the rated voltage and rated capacity are not marked; the product has reached the manufacturer‑specified safe service life.
3. Technical Requirements
  Internal resistance exceeds 0.5 Ω; the discharge capacity degradation rate exceeds 50%.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology