The first harmonized standard under the EU Battery Regulation becomes reality - EV batteries leading the way

22 Sep 2026

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2048, published in the Official Journal in September 2026 the reference of EN 18060:2025 as a harmonized standard drafted in support of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 - the EU Battery Regulation. EN 18060 is -therefore- the first harmonized standard under the Regulation. Compliance with the standard provides a presumption of conformity for the corresponding Article 10 performance and durability requirements covered by the standard.

That distinction matters. Although CEN published EN 18060 in 2025, publication by a standards organisation and harmonisation under EU law are two different milestones. It is the publication of a standard's reference in the Official Journal that creates a presumption of conformity with the corresponding regulatory requirements covered by that standard, as stated under Article 15 of the EU Battery Regulation.

EN 18060:2025 applies to EV battery cells, modules, packs and battery systems intended for use in electric road vehicles. It establishes harmonized methods for determining the parameters listed in Annex IV of the EU Battery Regulation, including rated capacity, power capability, internal resistance, energy round-trip efficiency and expected lifetime, together with the ageing-related indicators used to quantify performance degradation over time.

Why is this a leading indicator?

A single harmonized standard covering one battery category might appear to be a narrow technical development. In reality, EN 18060 provides the first practical example of how the EU Battery Regulation's standardisation framework is being translated into a harmonized standard capable of supporting a presumption of conformity.

The standard was developed under the Commission's standardisation request to CEN and CENELEC and was subsequently assessed by the European Commission before its reference was published in the Official Journal. The successful harmonisation of EN 18060 demonstrates that this process is now operational and capable of delivering standards that support regulatory compliance.

For manufacturers of industrial batteries and LMT batteries, EN 18060 therefore offers more than a precedent for EV batteries. It provides an early indication of the type of testing methods, calculation methodologies and performance metrics that future harmonized standards may be expected to provide for their respective battery categories. With standards for other battery categories currently under development in the relevant standardization committees, EN 18060 offers the first tangible insight into how future regulatory requirements may be translated into harmonized test methods and conformity assessment support.

The sequencing gap the Decision closes

Since Article 10 became applicable, manufacturers of EV batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries over 2 kWh and LMT batteries have been required to declare electrochemical performance and durability parameters and include information on the methods, specifications and conditions used to determine those values. However, until the harmonisation of EN 18060, there was no harmonized standard under the EU Battery Regulation providing a common route to presumption of conformity for those measurements.

EN 18060 closes that gap for EV batteries by providing harmonized test methods and calculation methodologies for the performance and durability parameters listed in Annex IV of the Regulation. As a result, manufacturers now have a common and recognized framework for determining and documenting those values.

The situation is different for industrial batteries and LMT batteries. These battery categories remain subject to performance and durability declaration requirements, while harmonized standards supporting those requirements are still under development within the European standardization system. At the same time, the Regulation foresees the introduction of minimum performance and durability requirements for those categories through future delegated acts.

This creates an important transitional phase. Manufacturers of industrial batteries and LMT batteries are moving towards future compliance requirements that will rely not only on declaring performance and durability values, but on demonstrating that defined performance and durability thresholds have been achieved. The development of harmonized standards for these battery categories will therefore play a critical role in establishing common methodologies for demonstrating compliance with those future requirements.

The role of third-party testing in demonstrating compliance

While manufacturers may perform testing internally, independent third-party testing will play an increasingly important role in demonstrating that performance claims are supported by objective and reproducible data. Independent verification of test results strengthen technical documentation, support discussions with customers and regulators, and provide additional confidence that declared performance parameters are based on recognized test methodologies.

As performance and durability requirements continue to evolve under the Regulation, testing is becoming not only a product development activity, but also an increasingly important component of regulatory compliance.

The first harmonized standard, but not the last

While EN 18060 specifically supports the performance and durability requirements of Article 10 for EV batteries, it is the first of a wider family of harmonized standards being developed in support of the EU Battery Regulation. The Regulation relies on harmonized standards to provide presumption of conformity for multiple requirements, extending beyond performance and durability.

Additional standards are currently being developed within the European standardization system to support other requirements of the Regulation. This is particularly relevant for stakeholders following the implementation of Article 12, covering the safety of stationary battery energy storage systems (SBESS), and Article 14, covering information on battery state of health and expected lifetime. These areas are of significant interest to manufacturers, developers and integrators of stationary battery energy storage systems, where the industry continues to seek greater clarity regarding the technical basis for demonstrating compliance.

As these standards progress towards harmonization, they are expected to play an increasingly important role in establishing common test methods, technical requirements and conformity assessment approaches across different battery categories.

What this means in practice 

• EV battery manufacturers: now have access to a harmonized route for demonstrating conformity with the Article 10 performance and durability requirements covered by EN 18060. Manufacturers should review whether their existing performance and durability test programmes, technical documentation and declaration methodologies align with the standard's requirements and reporting framework  
• Industrial and LMT battery manufacturers: performance and durability declarations are already required under Article 10, while future delegated acts are expected to introduce minimum performance and durability requirements. Manufacturers should therefore monitor ongoing standardization activities closely and consider how future harmonized test methods may affect product qualification, verification strategies and technical documentation requirements.
• BESS manufacturers and integrators: Manufacturers, developers and system integrators active in the stationary battery energy storage system sector should pay particular attention to the ongoing development of standards supporting Articles 12 and 14. These standards are expected to play an important role in establishing common approaches for demonstrating compliance with safety requirements and state-of-health and expected lifetime information requirements under the Regulation.

State of Health (SOH) and Safety

Manufacturers of EV, LMT stationary battery energy storage system should pay particular attention to the ongoing development of standards supporting Article 14 and the latter also to article 12. These standards are expected to play an important role in establishing common approaches for demonstrating compliance with state-of-health and expected lifetime information requirements and safety requirements under the Regulation.

How Intertek supports manufacturers preparing for this shift

Intertek provides independent third-party testing and technical support services covering performance, durability and safety requirements for cells, modules, battery packs and battery systems - from early-stage technology evaluation and supplier qualification through long-term durability testing, regulatory compliance testing, and technical documentation support. This includes test program development, data analysis, and interpretation of results, so that for example performance and durability claims can be substantiated with reliable, defensible technical evidence ahead of the next round of regulatory requirements.

*Intertek Semko acts as Notified Body 0413 under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, covering full conformity assessment scope across the Regulation's relevant Articles. Conformity assessment activities carried out under this appointment are conducted independently of Intertek's assurance, testing and certification services.