Lithium-Ion cells do require specification data on them to fully comply with UK and EU legislation. This information needs to be indelible and thus can’t be simply a sticker, but must be permanently printed and visible on the outside of the battery. The following information must be legible;

• Battery capacity
• Chemistry of the battery
• Positive and Negative +/- (polarity) Symbols
• The WEEE Symbol.

Printing on cylindrical batteries comes with many challenges, especially as you cannot use a  contact printing method. To mitigate any risk, we use a special printing machine that permanently binds the ink to the surface using electric. This machine was a significant investment for Fogstar but was required to ensure a compliant supply of batteries to our customers. 

The battery directive also calls for two other elements;

• Battery traceability
• In-house testing.

Here at Fogstar, we have always tested the legitimacy of our cells. When it comes to traceability, we developed a testing platform called EXOCELL. This system enables us to generate a unique 4 digit code for all of our batteries.

It’s probably worth noting that batteries do not require CE marking and do not have to have a certificate of conformity - mainly due to the fact that there is no circuitry in a battery. A CE marking is an administrative marking that indicates conformity with health and safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the EEA (European Economic Area). Batteries can still pass a CE test, but they do not require one by law.