Finally, clarity with new lithium-ion requirements from the European working group

In recent months, the European lithium-ion working group has worked hard to finalize the new VDMA 24994 paper. This document outlines the requirements a battery safe must meet to safely store and charge lithium-ion batteries. The new regulations are expected to be published next spring.

Representatives from European testing laboratories, certification bodies, insurers, and industry organisations have met several times for this purpose.

Finally, there is clarity for businesses on how to make a good choice for a safe and reliable lithium-ion battery cabinet. Currently, it is often difficult because many manufacturers claim that their (safety) cabinets provide good protection in the event of a battery fire, but this is not always the case in practice.

Take, for example, the fierce fire that broke out at a grocery delivery service in Lelystad. Here, bike batteries were charging in a special lithium-ion charging cabinet. The cabinet doors burst open and the fire broke out of the cabinet, causing enormous damage. The heavy smoke development even led to the evacuation of nearby residents.

Read more in our blog Why you shouldn’t charge lithium-ion batteries in a safety cabinet.

“More than 30 apartments evacuated after fire” (Source: Omroep Flevoland)

It is therefore important to choose a secure lithium-ion battery safe. Battery safes that comply with the VDMA 24994 whitepaper are suitable for storing and charging lithium-ion batteries and guarantee safety.

During the development of the VDMA paper, the Batteryguard battery safe was tested with no less than 20 batteries. The lithium-ion batteries in the safe were brought to thermal runaway. Despite the fire, heavy smoke development, and explosions, the safe doors remained closed!

Many insurers are pleased that the VDMA 24994 will soon be published. Risk experts have long warned that there are storage and charging facilities on the market that do not comply.

Insurer Nationale-Nederlanden has already included requirements in their policy conditions for this. They urge their policyholders to charge and store their lithium-ion batteries in specially designed fire-resistant storage means. In the article Lithium battery fire | Nationale-Nederlanden speaking out, Bart van de Broek explains how this works.

If you want to know more about what measures you as a business owner can take, and which battery safe is suitable for that, please contact us! We are happy to help you and to give personal advice.