What Is EN 50604 and Why It Matters: A Comprehensive Guide to the Most Important Safety Standard for Lithium Batteries

1. What Is EN 50604?
EN 50604 is a European safety standard specifically designed for lithium-ion traction batteries used in light electric vehicles. These include:
Electric bicycles (eBikes)
Electric scooters (E-scooters)
Electric motorcycles & mopeds
Cargo bikes
Electric skateboards
Personal mobility devices
AGVs and other light-duty electric machines
The full name of the standard is:
EN 50604-1: Safety Requirements for Lithium-Ion Batteries for Light Electric Vehicles
EN 50604 is different from general battery safety standards. It focuses on battery packs that provide traction power. This means the battery directly powers the vehicle or equipment.
Its purpose is to make sure lithium battery systems stay safe. This is true even in tough and unpredictable real-world conditions. These conditions include vibration, shock, impact, short circuits, overcharging, overheating, water exposure, or mechanical failure.
2. Why Is EN 50604 So Important?
To access the EU light electric vehicle market, companies must meet the requirements of EN 50604.
The European market is one of the biggest places for electric bicycles, e-scooters, and personal mobility devices. To comply with EU regulations, manufacturers must meet EU safety directives such as:
Machine Directive
Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
EMC Directive
General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
For battery-powered vehicles, EN 50604 is the core standard used to demonstrate compliance with these directives. Without passing EN 50604, batteries cannot legally enter many EU markets.
2.2 It Significantly Reduces the Risk of Fire and Thermal Runaway
Lithium battery accidents often make global headlines. Many are caused by:
Internal short circuits
Poor quality cells
Defective BMS
Water ingress
Mechanical damage
Overcharging or over-current
Manufacturing defects
EN 50604 tests batteries under extreme conditions to ensure they will not ignite, explode, or enter thermal runaway. Passing this standard demonstrates that a battery pack is structurally safe and electronically protected.
2.3 It Helps Manufacturers Build Consumer Trust
European buyers—whether distributors, brands, or end-users—are increasingly aware of battery safety issues. Products carrying EN 50604 certification signal:
Engineering integrity
Compliance with EU regulation
Long-term safety
High production standards
For brands, it is a powerful marketing advantage that differentiates professional-grade batteries from low-standard suppliers.
2.4 It Protects Importers From Legal Risk
Under the new EU Product Safety Regulation (2023), product safety responsibility shifts heavily toward EU-based importers and distributors.
If a battery causes a fire, and the importer cannot provide EN 50604 test reports, they may face:
Large financial penalties
Product recalls
Legal liability
Distribution bans
Brand damage
Therefore, EN 50604 is not optional—it is a legal shield for companies operating in Europe.
3. What Does EN 50604 Test?
EN 50604 covers mechanical, electrical, thermal, and environmental safety. Key test categories include:
3.1 Mechanical Safety Tests
• Vibration Test
Simulates real-world riding conditions.
• Shock Test
Ensures the pack withstands sudden impacts or drops.
• Crush Test
Verifies that the cell and structure will not ignite even under heavy external pressure.
• Mechanical Integrity Test
Checks casing strength, mounting design, and internal structure reinforcement.
3.2 Electrical Safety Tests
• Short-Circuit Protection
Ensures the BMS can safely interrupt dangerous currents.
• Overcharge and Over-Discharge Protection
• Overcurrent Protection
• Forced Discharge Test
Evaluates cell stability even under abnormal conditions.
3.3 Thermal Safety Tests
• High Temperature Storage
Determines resistance to heat damage.
• Thermal Abuse Test
Simulates overheating to ensure no thermal runaway occurs.
• Temperature Cycling
Repetitive exposure to cold and heat.
3.4 Environmental Resistance Tests
• IP Water Resistance Requirements
Batteries must maintain safety even after water exposure.
Most high-end LEV batteries aim for IP67 or higher.
• Salt Spray and Corrosion
• Humidity Testing
3.5 BMS Functional Safety Requirements
EN 50604 requires the BMS to include:
Accurate voltage monitoring
Current protection
Temperature sensors
Cell balancing
Short-circuit prevention
Thermal protection logic
Software reliability
Devices must be able to detect faults and react instantly.
4. Who Needs EN 50604 Certification?
If you produce, sell, or import any of the following into the EU, you need EN 50604:
eBike batteries (36V / 48V / 52V / 60V)
E-scooter batteries
Electric moped or motorcycle packs
Lithium batteries operating in traction mode
AGV or AMR batteries used for movement
Delivery bike power systems
Shared mobility fleet batteries
Essentially, if a lithium battery is used to move something, EN 50604 applies.
5. How Shenzhen First Power Energy Co., Ltd. Helps Customers Meet EN 50604
Shenzhen First Power Energy Co., Ltd. (FirstPower) is a professional lithium battery manufacturer with more than 12 years of engineering and manufacturing experience. FirstPower is a top battery solution provider for eBikes, AGVs, robotics, power tools, and industrial equipment. The company knows European safety requirements well, especially EN 50604.
Here is how FirstPower supports global customers:
5.1 Battery Packs Designed According to EN 50604 From the Start
Many factories build standard packs and only consider certification later.
FirstPower takes the opposite approach:
Reinforced internal structural pillars
Anti-vibration and anti-shock design
Premium-grade cells (LG / Samsung / CATL / EVE)
Smart BMS with multi-level protection
Enhanced sealing and waterproof design (IP67 optional)
Heat-resistant casing materials
This ensures that every pack is built to pass EN 50604 tests.
5.2 Complete Certification Support
FirstPower provides:
EN 50604 test assistance
Battery engineering audit
Technical drawings for EU compliance
Material traceability documents
QC & reliability reports
Cell specifications and MSDS
CE / UN38.3 / IEC62133 documentation
This makes the compliance process easier for clients.
5.3 Advanced Manufacturing Standards
FirstPower uses:
Automated cell sorting
Laser welding
High-precision assembly
Complete aging tests
BMS calibration
100% full-function testing
Each battery passes strict inspection before shipping.
5.4 Customized Battery Solutions for European Markets
From small brands to large OEMs, FirstPower offers custom solutions:
Customized battery size and casing
Smart BMS with Bluetooth / CAN / UART
Enhanced waterproofing for rainy climates
High-cycle Li-ion or LiFePO₄ chemistries
Solutions for EU shared mobility operators
This ensures full alignment with European regulations and market needs.
6. What Happens If You Ignore EN 50604?
Entering the European market without EN 50604 certification is extremely risky. Consequences include:
Customs rejection
Product seizure
Sales bans
Mandatory recalls
Insurance claims rejection
Harm to brand reputation
Potential legal liability
Battery fire incidents have triggered strict enforcement across multiple EU countries. Distributors now require EN 50604 test reports before purchasing.
7. EN 50604 vs. Other Safety Standards (UL 2271 / IEC 62133)
Standard Coverage Applications:

- EN 50604: Traction battery safety for eBikes, eScooters, and LEVs in Europe.
- UL 2271: US traction battery safety for mobility and industrial batteries.
- IEC 62133: Portable battery safety for small electronics and tools.
- UN 38.3: Transportation safety for air, sea, and land shipping.
For EU light mobility, EN 50604 is the most critical.
8. The Future: New EU Regulations Will Make EN 50604 Even More Necessary
The EU is introducing:
The new EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542)
Digital battery passports
Stricter environmental & recycling rules
Stronger product traceability
These changes mean that battery safety documentation will become even more important. EN 50604 compliance will continue to be mandatory for all traction lithium batteries.
9. Conclusion: EN 50604 Is Not Optional—It Is the Foundation of Battery Safety
In the rapidly growing European e-mobility market, EN 50604 serves as a critical safety guarantee. It ensures that lithium batteries used in light electric vehicles remain safe under harsh, real-world use conditions.
For brands and importers, it provides legal compliance and market access.
For consumers, it provides trust and safety.
For manufacturers like Shenzhen First Power Energy Co., Ltd., it demonstrates engineering strength, responsibility, and long-term competitiveness in the global market.
If your business uses lithium batteries for mobility products, EN 50604 is more than a certification. A key requirement exists.
Shenzhen First Power Energy Co., Ltd. helps global partners create high-quality, safe batteries. These batteries meet strict international standards.