UL 1974 2018-10 PDF

Full title and description

St UL 1974 2018-10 — ANSI/CAN/UL 1974, Standard for Evaluation for Repurposing Batteries (First edition, published October 25, 2018). The standard establishes requirements and procedures for the sorting, grading and evaluation of battery packs, modules, cells and electrochemical capacitors originally used for other purposes (for example, electric vehicle propulsion) that are intended for repurposed use (for example, stationary energy storage).

Abstract

UL 1974 provides a process-based framework to determine the safety, state-of-health and suitability of used battery components for “second‑life” applications. It covers quality control, visual and diagnostic inspection, acceptance/rejection criteria, recordkeeping and facility process reviews so repurposed batteries can be evaluated consistently before being integrated into new applications. The standard supports the circular economy by enabling validated reuse of batteries while requiring follow-on testing and certification for the battery’s new intended application.

General information

• Status: Active (original first edition published; later revised by a 2023 edition).
• Publication date: October 25, 2018 (Ed. 1, published as a bi‑national U.S. / Canada standard).
• Publisher: Underwriters Laboratories (UL Standards & Engagement / UL Solutions).
• ICS / categories: 29.220 — Galvanic cells and batteries (Electrical engineering / batteries and accumulators).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018-10); revised by ANSI/CAN/UL 1974:2023 (2nd edition).
• Number of pages: Approximately 40 pages (publisher PDF length may vary by formatted release).

Scope

UL 1974 covers the sorting and grading process for battery packs, modules, cells and electrochemical capacitors that were originally configured and used for other purposes (notably EV propulsion) and that are intended for a repurposed use application such as energy storage or other secondary uses. It specifies facility process requirements (quality control and safety), inspection and test procedures used to determine state‑of‑health and suitability, documentation and traceability practices, and acceptance/rejection rules. The 2023 revision extended coverage to include clearer provisions for remanufactured, reconditioned or rebuilt batteries where applicable.

Key topics and requirements

• Requirements for facility process reviews, production quality and safety controls for repurposing operations.
• Procedures for visual inspection, diagnostic testing and state‑of‑health (SOH) evaluation of cells, modules and packs.
• Sorting and grading criteria and rating schemes to classify batteries for second‑life suitability.
• Initial and subsequent rejection procedures, quarantine and safe handling of suspect or damaged units.
• Traceability, recordkeeping and labelling requirements for repurposed components and systems.
• Requirements to ensure repurposed batteries are subsequently evaluated and certified for their new intended application (for example, to UL 1973 / UL 9540 where used in energy storage systems).
• Added 2023 provisions addressing routine maintenance/diagnostics and remanufactured or rebuilt batteries.

Typical use and users

Primary users include battery repurposing and remanufacturing facilities, automotive OEMs and authorized remanufacturers, battery pack integrators, energy storage system (ESS) designers and installers, utilities, code authorities, test laboratories and regulators. The standard is used to create consistent sorting/grading workflows, demonstrate facility-level process controls and to support market confidence in second‑life battery products.

Related standards

Commonly referenced standards in conjunction with UL 1974 include UL 1973 (Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications), UL 9540 and UL 9540A (Energy Storage Systems and methods for evaluating thermal runaway), and other battery and ESS safety and performance standards. Repurposed batteries intended for ESS use typically require evaluation to UL 1973 and the overall ESS to UL 9540.

Keywords

UL 1974, evaluation for repurposing batteries, second‑life batteries, battery sorting and grading, state‑of‑health, battery remanufacturing, energy storage, UL, repurposed battery facility certification, battery circular economy.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: UL 1974 (Edition 1, Oct 25, 2018) is the Underwriters Laboratories standard that defines requirements and procedures for evaluating used battery packs, modules and cells for repurposing into new applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the sorting, inspection, diagnostic testing, grading and facility process controls needed to determine a battery’s state‑of‑health and suitability for continued use in a different application (for example, using retired EV batteries in stationary energy storage). The 2023 edition added clarification for remanufactured or rebuilt batteries and routine maintenance/diagnostic provisions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Battery repurposing/remanufacturing facilities, OEMs and authorized rebuilders, ESS integrators, utilities, test labs, and regulators — essentially any organization involved in assessing, processing or re‑deploying used batteries.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 first edition is active but has been revised; ANSI/CAN/UL 1974:2023 (published November 10, 2023) is the later (second) edition that updates and expands several requirements. Organizations should refer to the 2023 edition for the newest requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: UL 1974 is part of UL’s battery and energy‑storage family of standards and is commonly used together with standards such as UL 1973 (battery packs/systems for stationary uses), UL 9540 (energy storage systems) and UL 9540A (thermal runaway test method). It is focused specifically on evaluation processes for reusing battery components.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Repurposing, second‑life, battery evaluation, sorting and grading, state‑of‑health (SOH), remanufacturing, quality control, energy storage, UL 1974.