IEC 60622:2026
Sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable cells and batteries for industrial applications
Standard Introduction
IEC 60622:2026 is the current International Standard for sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary cells and battery systems made from them for industrial applications. Edition 4.0 was published on 29 September 2026 and cancels and replaces the 2002 edition.
The technical revision adds optional characterization for specified temperature ranges, constant-current/constant-voltage charging, rapid charging and high cycling. The IEC catalogue establishes scope and major changes; implementers need authorized access to the normative text for test methods, conditions and criteria.
Sealed Industrial Nickel-cadmium Scope
IEC 60622:2026 covers marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary cells and battery systems made from them for industrial applications.
First Revision Since 2002
The fourth edition, published on 29 September 2026, cancels and replaces the third edition from 2002 and is identified by IEC as a technical revision.
New Optional Characterizations
IEC lists new optional characterization for extreme-temperature performance, constant-current/constant-voltage charging, rapid charging and high-cycling designs.
list_alt Decisions to Make Before Testing
- Confirm the cell is sealed rather than vented
- Confirm prismatic nickel-cadmium chemistry and industrial use
- Identify cell, battery and system configurations in scope
- Obtain the licensed 2026 normative text before defining pass criteria
- Decide which optional characterization matches declared product capabilities
- Map markings, designation and dimensions to controlled drawings
- Define representative samples, charging conditions and measurement equipment
- Separate IEC conformity evidence from destination-market legal approval
Who Needs to Comply?
Manufacturers of sealed prismatic nickel-cadmium industrial cells and batteries; designers and integrators of backup-power, transport, telecom, aerospace or industrial systems; procurement and quality teams specifying battery performance; and laboratories preparing edition-specific test programs.
Key Requirements
Classify the Battery Correctly
Confirm that the product uses sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic cells for an industrial application. Vented industrial cells belong under IEC 60623, while portable sealed nickel systems may fall under IEC 62133-1.
Control Designation and Marking
Use the purchased standard to map required designation, markings and declared characteristics to product labels, drawings, specifications and controlled records.
Define Dimensional Evidence
Link the applicable dimensional requirements to controlled drawings, measurement methods, sample identification and inspection records for each relevant cell or battery configuration.
Build an Edition-specific Test Plan
Translate the 2026 text into test methods, conditions, sample quantities, acceptance criteria, equipment and record templates. Do not infer numeric limits from catalogue metadata.
Select Optional Characterization Deliberately
Document whether the product is characterized for very low or high temperature, CCCV charging, rapid charge or high cycling, and ensure claims match the selected tests and evidence.
Manage the 2002-to-2026 Change
Review legacy specifications and reports against the fourth edition, close gaps, approve updated evidence and prevent mixed-edition claims in purchasing, test reports and customer documentation.
Implementation Roadmap
Confirm scope and applicable documents
Record chemistry, sealed construction, prismatic format, intended industrial use, cell and battery configurations, target markets and customer specifications. Identify separate safety, installation, transport and environmental rules.
Complete the edition gap review
Compare existing drawings, declarations, reports and methods with the purchased IEC 60622:2026 text. Decide which new optional characterizations support actual product claims and assign evidence owners.
Test and approve evidence
Approve representative samples, charging and environmental conditions, calibrated equipment, methods and report templates. Execute the test plan and resolve deviations before releasing edition-specific claims.
Control production and changes
Link approved evidence to models, drawings, markings, critical materials and manufacturing controls. Reassess design, supplier, process and claim changes and monitor the IEC record for amendments or replacement.
Compliance Checklist
checklist Scope and claims
checklist 2026 edition review
checklist Test evidence
checklist Release and change control
Choosing the Right Nickel-cadmium Standard
Start with construction and intended application; do not select a standard only because the chemistry matches.
| Document | Primary scope | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 60622:2026 | Sealed prismatic Ni-Cd cells and batteries for industrial applications | Includes optional characterization for specified temperature, charging and cycling capabilities |
| IEC 60623:2026 | Vented prismatic Ni-Cd cells and batteries for industrial applications | Adds resistance, power and durability evidence in the 2026 edition |
| IEC 62133-1:2026 | Portable sealed secondary nickel cells and batteries | Portable-product safety scope, not the general industrial scope |
| IEC 62902:2025 | Chemistry identification markings for larger secondary batteries | Marking purpose and size threshold differ from product performance standards |
| Destination-market rules | Legal product, transport, environmental and disposal obligations | Can be mandatory and remain separate from voluntary IEC conformity |
Common Misconceptions
IEC 60622 and IEC 60623 are interchangeable.
They separate sealed and vented industrial nickel-cadmium products and contain edition-specific evidence requirements.
Every sealed nickel-cadmium battery uses IEC 60622.
The standard is for prismatic industrial products; portable and other formats or applications can fall under different documents.
The optional characterizations are mandatory product claims.
IEC describes them as optional. Select them only where relevant and support any resulting claim with the normative test evidence.
A 2002-edition report automatically demonstrates the 2026 edition.
The fourth edition is a technical revision. Legacy evidence needs a documented gap review before a 2026 claim is made.
Penalties & Enforcement
IEC 60622:2026 is a voluntary International Standard and creates no direct legal penalty. A contract, procurement specification, certification scheme or national regulation can separately require a particular edition or related evidence. Confirm those instruments in each target market before making a conformity claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does IEC 60622:2026 cover?
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It covers marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary cells and battery systems made from them for industrial applications.
What edition did IEC 60622:2026 replace?
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Edition 4.0 cancels and replaces IEC 60622:2002, the third edition. IEC describes the 2026 publication as a technical revision.
What changed in the 2026 edition?
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IEC's public catalogue identifies optional characterization for very low or high temperature, constant-current/constant-voltage charging, rapid charging and high-cycling designs. Numeric methods and criteria require the purchased standard.
What is the difference between IEC 60622 and IEC 60623?
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IEC 60622 addresses sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic cells and batteries for industrial applications. IEC 60623 addresses vented products of the same general chemistry and industrial class.
Is IEC 60622 a portable-battery safety standard?
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No. Its scope is industrial sealed prismatic nickel-cadmium products. IEC 62133-1 addresses safety requirements for portable sealed secondary nickel cells and batteries.
Is compliance with IEC 60622 legally mandatory?
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Not by itself. It is a voluntary International Standard. A contract, procurement rule, certification scheme or national regulation can separately require it or another edition.
Official Documentation
Official PDF for IEC 60622:2026
Official publication or summary for IEC 60622:2026
Official online resource
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) guidance and reference material
Implementation toolkit
Templates, guidance, or companion resources for IEC 60622:2026