Policy Landscape

China Releases Most Stringent Battery Safety Standards The 2025 revision (GB 380312025) updates and refines the 2020 standard GB 380312020) to reflect technological advancements and a stronger emphasis on real-world abuse scenarios (e.g., fast charging, underbody impacts) and occupant protection during thermal events.

Cell level

Pack level

Test item

GB380312020

GB380312025

Key differences

Safety after fast charge cycle

Not required

300 cycles from 20% to 80% SOC in 15 min, followed by short circuit test

New requirement to evaluate safety under rapid charging stress

Overcurrent protection Overtemperature protection External short circuit protection Overcharge protection Overdischarge protection

Insulation 100 Ω/V

Insulation 100 Ω/V AC 500 Ω/V

Explicit insulation requirement for AC circuits added

Thermal Propagation

Alarm signal required before occupant danger (within 5 min of thermal runaway)

Alarm within 5 min of thermal runaway + smoke control documentation for occupant safety (pre- and post-alarm)

Stricter occupant safety requirement; explicit smoke control verification

Bottom impact test

Not required

10kg hemispherical impactor 30mm diameter steel ball) at 150J 3J on 3 risk points (front/mid/rear)

New test to simulate underbody collisions

Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the Peopleʼs Republic of China communication to understand GB380312025 in one picture

Extracted from the PDF; charts and images may read imperfectly.