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In March 2026, the IEC updated safety testing standards for portable rechargeable batteries, refining test methods, protection circuit verification, and certification alignment. The changes are relevant to smartphones, power banks, wireless accessories, and other portable electronics that rely on lithium battery safety compliance.

In March 2026, the European Commission confirmed that the EU Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542) is moving into its implementation phase across member states. The regulation introduces new requirements for battery labeling, recycling, and supply chain transparency, affecting portable batteries used in smartphones, power banks, and consumer electronics.

In March 2026, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released updated guidance on lithium battery air transport. The update emphasizes packaging safety, staff training, and maintaining lithium-ion batteries at a state of charge of 30% or lower to reduce transportation risks.

The European Commission released updated guidance in March 2026 for implementing the EU Battery Passport under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. The system aims to improve battery traceability, lifecycle transparency, and sustainability data across the EU battery supply chain.

In March 2026, the European Commission released updated guidance on battery sustainability and labeling requirements, clarifying expectations for product identification, traceability, and consistent labeling practices across the EU battery regulatory framework.

In February 2026, the Wireless Power Consortium announced updates to the Qi2 certification process, refining alignment testing, sustained power verification, and thermal management checks to enhance interoperability and consistency across wireless charging products.

In February 2026, the EU Safety Gate system issued additional notifications involving portable power banks in the European market, citing potential electrical and thermal safety non-compliance identified through routine market surveillance.

In February 2026, the EU Safety Gate system issued additional notifications involving portable power banks in the European market, citing potential electrical and thermal safety non-compliance identified through routine market surveillance.

In January 2026, the EU Safety Gate system released multiple recall notifications involving charging accessories sold in Europe, highlighting non-compliance with electrical safety requirements identified through routine market surveillance.

On July 17, 2025, the CPSC and Canada’s recall system issued aligned notices for iStore magnetic wireless power banks after reports of overheating while charging, citing fire and burn hazards. The recall stands out for its clear model/UPC identification and cross-border consistency, reinforcing how quickly magnetic wireless power banks can become a high-scrutiny safety topic in 2025.

IATA confirms that from January 1, 2026, lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment must be offered for air transport at a State of Charge (SoC) not exceeding 30%. This shifts SoC from a best-practice concept into an operational compliance checkpoint, increasing the likelihood of holds or rework if charge levels are not controlled and verified before tender.

In January 2025, the EU Official Journal published the European Commission’s guidance (C/2025/214) on how to apply Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Article 11, covering portable battery removability and replaceability. The document clarifies what “end-user replaceable” means in practice, when limited derogations may apply, and emphasizes that software should not create barriers to battery replacement.

In October 2025, the European Commission advanced the EU Common Charger roadmap by linking it more directly to updated ecodesign rules, signalling that interoperability is being reinforced not only through device ports but also through chargers, wireless charging products, and USB-C cables. The move highlights a shift toward ecosystem-level compliance that aims to reduce fragmentation and make charging performance more predictable.

WPC officially launched Qi2 25W based on Qi v2.2.1, pushing wireless charging into a faster tier tied to certification. The market now watches Android adoption speed and whether certified accessories can deliver 25W performance with controlled heat.