Policy Perspective: Safety Standard Upgrades Drive Industrial Transformation

 

On 1 November 2025, mandatory CCC certification management for lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles formally took effect, marking the lithium battery industry's entry into an era of proactive defence. The new regulations require each battery to be labelled with its safe usage lifespan and engraved with a unique identification code, eliminating the grey area of refurbished batteries. Simultaneously, the reuse of end-of-life batteries in electric bicycles is prohibited, reducing short-circuit and fire risks at source. Furthermore, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's ‘Technical Specifications for the Lithium-Ion Battery Industry (2024 Edition)’ sets clear technical thresholds—such as electrode coating precision ≤2μm and cell voltage consistency ≤1mV—driving enterprises towards high-end manufacturing transformation. Under policy pressure, industry concentration is rising, with 30% of small-to-medium production capacity expected to be phased out by 2026, accelerating market standardisation.

 Corporate Perspective: Technological Breakthroughs and Market Reconfiguration

 Leading enterprises such as CATL and BYD have proactively responded to the new regulations, seizing market share through technological upgrades. CATL's Kirin battery employs a honeycomb aluminium frame design capable of withstanding 150J energy impacts, achieving physical thermal runaway containment. BYD's Blade battery, featuring a high-strength casing, demonstrated ‘zero leakage, zero ignition’ performance in collision tests. The new regulations' requirement for fast-charging cycle testing (passing safety tests after 300 cycles) has spurred enterprises to develop 5C ultra-fast charging electrolytes and intelligent algorithms, driving the industry towards dual-track development of ‘high efficiency + safety’. Concurrently, the implementation of the transport safety standard ‘Technical Requirements for the Safe Transport of Lithium Batteries by Ship’ has positioned China as the world's first nation to establish specialised standards for waterway transport. This has boosted export clearance efficiency by 30%, enhancing international competitiveness.

Consumer Perspective: Safety Dividends and Optimised Purchase Decisions

Following the new regulations, consumers can swiftly identify high-safety models through the ‘GB38031-2025’ certification, reducing spontaneous combustion risks by over 70%. Insurance companies, benefiting from lowered risks, are expected to reduce premiums by 15%-20% and gradually eliminate ‘thermal runaway’ exclusion clauses. Furthermore, battery lifecycle traceability systems (e.g., unique coding) enable consumers to verify product origins, enhancing purchasing transparency. As industry consolidation progresses, premium lithium-ion battery prices are projected to decrease by 10%-15%, benefiting a broader user base. This dual enhancement in safety and efficiency is reshaping consumer trust in new energy products.

International Perspective: Chinese Standards Lead the Global Supply Chain

China's lithium battery market share has reached 65% globally, projected to exceed 70% by 2025 following new regulations. Innovative waterway transport standards fill an international gap, with thermal runaway prevention requirements exceeding current global benchmarks, reducing accident risks by over 50%. This standardised framework dismantles export barriers of ‘duplicate testing and multiple certifications,’ driving rapid growth in European and Southeast Asian markets. First-quarter 2025 exports surged 45% year-on-year. Through standardised development, China is transitioning from a ‘manufacturing powerhouse’ to a ‘standard-setting leader,’ providing a technological blueprint for the global new energy industry.

 Industry Ecosystem Perspective: Accelerated Development of Full-Chain Safety Systems

Safety management across the entire lithium battery lifecycle—from production to recycling—is increasingly robust. The Production Safety Specifications for Lithium-ion Batteries, implemented on 18 October 2025, stipulate control requirements for core processes such as formation ageing and laser welding, driving enterprises to upgrade equipment and train personnel. The establishment of a national-level lithium battery safety big data platform will enable real-time monitoring of millions of battery products, with the rate of major safety incidents projected to fall below 0.1%. Resource-rich provinces (such as Sichuan and Jiangxi) leverage their lithium ore advantages to build industrial clusters, while eastern coastal regions focus on solid-state battery R&D. Regional collaboration is driving the industry's transition towards green and low-carbon development. Under standardised development, the sector is shifting from ‘scale expansion’ to ‘quality-first’ priorities, injecting new momentum into achieving the dual carbon goals.