Vietnam Issues National Standard TCVN 14474:2025 on Battery Assessment for Repurposing and Remanufacturing
Vietnam has officially introduced the national standard TCVN 14474:2025, establishing a comprehensive framework for evaluating used batteries before they are repurposed or remanufactured. The move aims to mitigate fire and explosion risks, enhance safety, and promote the circular economy.
The rapid growth of electric vehicles, mobile devices, and energy storage systems in recent years has led to a surge in discarded batteries. Beyond conventional household batteries, a growing number of lithium-ion batteries from electric motorcycles, cars, and solar energy storage systems are reaching the end of their first lifecycle. Many of these batteries still retain partial functionality, fueling a trend of collection, reuse, and remanufacturing.
However, such activities have largely been spontaneous and unregulated. Inspections and classifications often rely on experience or basic tools, without standardized procedures. This has created significant safety risks, particularly fire hazards from degraded batteries reintroduced into use. The absence of technical standards has also complicated quality control and management, posing threats to both users and the environment.
Against this backdrop, the issuance of TCVN 14474:2025—aligned with the international ANSI/CAN/UL 1974:2023 standard—is seen as a crucial step toward establishing a unified technical framework for battery evaluation prior to repurposing or remanufacturing.
Under the new standard, batteries are no longer treated as uniform products once their initial lifecycle ends. Instead, they must be assessed according to remaining quality and safety levels. The multi-layered evaluation process begins with visual inspections to detect damage such as swelling, leakage, deformation, or cracks—early warning signs of potential hazards.
Next comes electrochemical performance testing, measuring residual capacity, voltage, and energy retention compared to original design specifications. Batteries showing excessive degradation or instability will be deemed unsuitable for reuse. Safety testing under thermal and mechanical stress is also required, simulating conditions such as fast charging, deep discharging, and high temperatures to determine resilience and risk of failure. Only batteries meeting all technical criteria may be reused or remanufactured.
Material suitability is another key requirement. Non-metallic materials used for casings, insulation, or thermal protection must demonstrate adequate thermal, electrical, and fire-resistant properties. Metallic components must resist corrosion and, if used in current-carrying parts, be made of acceptable conductive metals. Battery enclosures must be appropriate for their intended applications, whether integrated into devices or serving as standalone protective housings.
Equally important is classification and traceability. Each battery must be assigned a technical record after evaluation, including origin, usage history, test results, and safety classification. This ensures traceability throughout the battery’s extended lifecycle and supports risk management.
Facilities conducting battery assessments and recycling must be equipped with specialized testing devices, standardized operating procedures, and trained technical staff. Fire safety, chemical handling, and environmental protection are mandatory requirements for these operations.
The adoption of TCVN 14474:2025 is expected not only to reduce risks in battery reuse but also to advance the circular economy in the energy sector. Properly evaluated and repurposed batteries extend product lifespans, reduce reliance on new resource extraction, and minimize hazardous waste.
As demand for energy storage continues to rise—particularly in electric transportation and renewable energy—the standard provides a vital foundation for developing a safer, more transparent, and sustainable market for repurposed batteries in the future.