Shanghai (ZXZC)- On December 6, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ("MIIT") publicly solicited opinions on the "Guidelines for the Construction of Comprehensive Standardization System for Lithium-ion Batteries (2023 Edition)". The draft proposes that, by 2028, China's technical standards for lithium-ion batteries will reach international advanced levels, achieving comprehensive coverage of universal standards for industry fundamentals and key product standards.

Photo credit: CATL

The draft also emphasizes the transformation in the supply, development, and application of standards in the lithium-ion battery sector. It advocates a shift from government-led to a balanced government and market approach in standard supply, from domestic-driven to mutual promotion at both domestic and international levels in standardization efforts, and from industry- and trade-focused to a comprehensive application across the economic and social domains. Furthermore, it aims to transition from a quantity- and scale-oriented standardization development to a quality- and efficiency-oriented model.

In addition, recognizing the pivotal role of standards in driving technology innovation and facilitating the transition and upgrading of the lithium-ion battery industry, the draft outlines enhancements to the standardized construction of the entire industry chain, encompassing the revision of 120 standards.

The draft stresses the crucial role of lithium-ion batteries as essential electronic foundation products supporting the development of new intelligent terminals, electric transportation, and new energy storage industries. The development of new energy storage batteries, represented by lithium-ion batteries, is deemed significant in accelerating the achievement of dual-carbon goals, supporting the establishment of a new power system predominantly based on new energy sources, and promoting comprehensive green and low-carbon transformations in economic and social development. With collective efforts from the industry, China has emerged as the world's largest producer of lithium-ion batteries, boasting a comprehensive system from upstream critical materials to cell manufacturing, battery assembly, and equipment manufacturing.

Public data indicates a sustained growth trend in China's lithium-ion battery industry in the first half of 2023, with the national lithium battery production exceeding 400 GWh, reflecting a remarkable year-on-year leap of over 43%. The industry's total revenue for the Jan.-Jun. period of this year reached 600 billion yuan.