Overview
EN IEC 63369-1:2026 sets the foundational framework for the calculation of the carbon footprint of industrial lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems. Issued by CLC, this standard establishes the general requirements and outlines a standardized methodology for assessing the carbon footprint of industrial type Li-ion battery systems from cradle to grave. The methodology relies exclusively on attributional lifecycle assessment (LCA) and is designed to support comparability and transparency in reporting across the battery industry.
The scope of this standard specifically excludes batteries intended for portable use, SLI (starting, lighting, ignition), and electric road vehicle traction applications. The focus is placed on industrial batteries used in sectors such as energy storage systems, rail, marine, and industrial vehicles. The methodology defined also excludes consideration of any second-life use or applications not foreseen at the time the battery is placed on the market.
Key Topics
- Comprehensive Carbon Footprint Calculation: The standard details the calculation of carbon footprint across all stages of an industrial Li-ion battery’s life cycle, including production, distribution, use, and end-of-life.
- Standardized Functional Units: It prescribes the use of functional units and reference flows to enable meaningful comparison of results across different battery solutions and chemistries.
- Class Definitions: Representative product classes are defined-such as repetitive cycling for mobile (REP-MOB) and stationary (REP-STA) applications, as well as on-demand supply for both mobile (OND-MOB) and stationary (OND-STA) uses.
- Primary and Secondary Data: Clear definitions and requirements are provided for primary (site-specific/company-specific) data and secondary (background) data, as well as data quality assessment protocols.
- Circularity Considerations: Integration of parameters relevant to the Circular Footprint Formula (CFF), including recycled content and recycling rates, supports circular economy goals.
- Methodology Alignment: The standard is harmonized with ISO 14067 and related environmental management standards, ensuring international compatibility.
- Verification Requirements: Guidance for third-party verification of calculated carbon footprints is given to promote confidence in reported values.
Applications
Organizations can apply EN IEC 63369-1:2026 in various domains:
- Battery Purchasing and Supply Chain Assessments: Purchasers can use the standardized carbon footprint results to objectively compare different industrial Li-ion battery solutions over their Cumulated Requested Service (CRS) or Reference Service Life (RSL).
- Product Development and Eco-Design: Manufacturers and developers benefit from a rigorous, LCA-based approach to measure and reduce the carbon footprint during battery design and material selection.
- Regulatory and Voluntary Programs: Companies can support compliance or participation in both mandatory regulations and voluntary environmental programs by leveraging standardized, verifiable carbon footprint reporting.
- Sustainability Communication: The methodology supports Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), green claims, and other modes of climate impact disclosure useful for stakeholders and customers.
Related Standards
When implementing EN IEC 63369-1:2026, consider these relevant and referenced standards to ensure methodological alignment:
- IEC 62619:2022 – Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for industrial applications.
- IEC TS 62933 series – Electrical energy storage (EES) systems – Parameters, testing, and performance assessment.
- IEC 62973-1:2018 – Batteries for auxiliary power supply systems in railway applications.
- ISO 14067:2018 – Greenhouse Gases: Carbon footprint of products – Quantification requirements and guidelines.
- ISO 14040 & ISO 14044 – Environmental management and life cycle assessment (LCA) principles and requirements.
- ISO 14025 – Environmental labels and declarations – Type III declarations.
Adopting EN IEC 63369-1:2026 supports the consistent, transparent, and credible calculation of carbon footprints for industrial lithium-ion battery systems, reinforcing sustainability best practices and enabling robust environmental communication within the energy storage and industrial battery value chain.