As a leading global manufacturer of lithium batteries, we are well aware of the stringent requirements for product quality and safety in the European market – a region that is highly sensitive to environmental protection and consumer rights. If you plan to import lithium battery products from China or other countries to Italy, you must pass a series of mandatory certification and labeling requirements.
This guide will provide an in-depth analysis of Italian and EU regulations to help you efficiently complete the compliance process and avoid high fines or goods being held up due to certification omissions.
Ⅰ. Why is the Italian market so strict with lithium battery certification?
Italy is a member state of the European Union, and its regulations fully comply with EU Directives. At the same time, in line with its own environmental protection policies, Italy implements dual supervision of “high-risk products” such as lithium batteries. Italian customs data for 2023 shows that more than 30% of cases of delayed lithium battery imports are due to missing certification documents or incorrect labeling, which directly results in companies losing profits and delayed customs clearance.
The flammability and potential environmental pollution risks of lithium batteries have led the Italian government to strictly control them through the following regulations:
- EU Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) and amendments (effective in 2023)
- CE certification (Low Voltage Directive LVD 2014/35/EU; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive EMC 2014/30/EU)
- UN 38.3 transport safety test (mandatory for air/sea transport)
- REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS 2.0 (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
- Ecolabel Italia
Ⅱ. Four core certifications that must be completed for lithium batteries to enter Italy
1. CE certification: an entry ticket to the EU market
- Applicable products: all lithium batteries with a voltage range of DC 75V to 1500V and AC 50V to 1000V.
- Test content:
- electrical safety (overcharge/overdischarge/short circuit/high temperature test)
- mechanical safety (vibration/shock/crush test)
- electromagnetic compatibility (EMC anti-interference test)
- Certification process:
- Commission a laboratory recognized by the EU (e.g. TÜV Rheinland) to conduct testing;
- prepare technical documentation (including circuit diagrams, BOM lists, and risk analysis reports);
- sign a declaration of conformity (DoC);
- affix the CE mark to the product and outer packaging.
⚠️ Common mistakes: the CE mark is too small (≥5mm) or does not include the information of the EU authorized representative (EC-Rep).
2. UN 38.3 test: the line between life and death for transport safety
Whether entering Italy by air, sea or land, lithium batteries must pass the UN 38.3 test, which covers eight rigorous simulated transport conditions:
- T1~T5: high and low temperature cycling, vibration, impact;
- T6: external short circuit;
- T7: crush;
- T8: overcharge.
Key requirements:
- Each battery/cell must be marked with “UN38.3 Certified” and Watt-hour (Wh) information;
- The outer packaging must be affixed with a Class 9 dangerous goods label (size ≥ 10×10cm);
- Provide MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and shipping declaration documents.
3. Italian environmental compliance: REACH & RoHS 2.0
- REACH regulation: requires registration of the content of chemical substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium in batteries (cadmium limit <0.002%);
- RoHS 2.0: restricts six hazardous substances (e.g. lead ≤0.1%);
- Italian Ecolabel: a voluntary environmental protection label, but obtaining it can increase the premium of the product (need to prove that the battery recyclability rate is ≥50%).
4. Italian localization labeling requirements
In addition to the EU common logo, the Italian customs have additional regulations on the content of the label:
- Mandatory information (in Italian):
- Manufacturer name and address;
- Rated voltage (V) and capacity (Ah or Wh);
- Production date and shelf life;
- Waste sorting symbol (the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol);
- Warning statement (e.g. “Keep out of reach of children”).
- Misleading advertising is prohibited: e.g. “100% environmentally friendly”. Third-party testing certificates are required.
Ⅲ. The 3 most common pitfalls for lithium battery importers in Italy
- Ignoring packaging details:
- Italy requires that all battery packaging be resealable (e.g. a zipper bag) to prevent accidental contact with metal during transport.
- Failure to use fire-resistant and anti-static materials may result in customs withholding of goods.
- Failure to register for EPR (extended producer responsibility):
- From 2023, lithium battery importers will need to join an Italian national recycling scheme (such as CDCNPA) and pay a recycling fee (around €0.5–2/kg).
- Failure to update certification documents:
- EU regulations are constantly being adjusted (for example, PFAS chemicals will be restricted in 2024), so technical documents need to be reviewed every year.
Ⅳ. How can I pass Italian customs inspection efficiently?
- Find a suitable battery supplier:
- Confirm the type of battery required (portable/industrial/automotive/energy storage, etc.)
- Confirm whether the supplier can provide the corresponding certification according to your needs
- Apply for certification:
- If the supplier cannot provide the certification required for import, can the required certification be created according to the regulations
- For example: CE certification,
UN 38.3 testing, etc.;
- Label and document review:
- Check the label content using a professional Italian translator;
- Ensure that the outer box is marked with the net weight, gross weight and “Lithium Ion Battery in Compliance with ADR 2023”.
- Customs pre-inspection:
- Provide samples to the Italian agent for pre-clearance inspection to avoid delays in sampling during formal customs clearance.
Ⅴ. Why choose to cooperate with a professional lithium battery manufacturer?
The complexity of Italian regulations and language barriers have caused many companies to choose to cooperate with local compliance service providers. For example:
- Cost savings: avoiding the destruction of goods due to incorrect certification provided by the supplier (a single loss can reach tens of thousands of euros).
- After-sales guarantee: professional lithium battery manufacturers can provide a warranty of more than 5 years, giving you and your customers peace of mind.
- Long-term compliance: suppliers will track regulatory changes in real time and complete the necessary certifications according to market demand (such as the new EU battery law draft in 2024).
Conclusion
Importing lithium batteries from Italy not only requires respect for national regulations, but also tests the supplier’s response to market changes. It is also a test of the manufacturer’s technical strength and compliance capabilities. By planning the certification process in advance, strictly controlling labeling details, and drawing on professional resources, we can help customers transport lithium batteries efficiently and safely.
