UL 1642 and UL 2054: how North American recognition is written
UL 1642 is the standard for lithium cells and UL 2054 is the standard for battery packs. Recognitions are issued under a file number that lists the covered models, so the check is whether your model appears in that file.
| Field | What it says |
|---|---|
| UL 1642 | Standard for lithium cells — the cell-level recognition used across North American supply chains |
| UL 2054 | Standard for household and commercial battery packs — the pack-level counterpart |
| How coverage is recorded | Under a file number, subdivided into volumes or sections that list the covered models |
| What the buyer receives | A reference to the file number, plus the volume or section that lists the model |
| What to check | That the model appears in the coverage list for that file, not merely that the supplier has a UL file |
| Outside North America | IEC 62133 or IEC 62619 is usually the reference instead |
Specification basis: the standard text and its current edition. Figures and dates quoted on this page are limited to what each document states, and no certificate is claimed beyond what is held on file.
The file number is the unit of truth
A UL recognition is not a document that says "this company is approved". It is a file that lists specific constructions and model designations, subdivided into volumes or sections. Whether a given cell is covered is decided by looking for that model inside the file.
This is why "we have UL" is not an answer. The answer is a file number and the place in that file where the model appears.
Cell versus pack
UL 1642 is cell level and UL 2054 is pack level, and having one does not confer the other. A pack assembler typically needs both: recognised cells, and a pack assessment against the pack standard.
What we hold
Certificates are quoted only from documents actually held, and only for models named in the coverage list. The files on hand are listed in the documentation library, with the file number and volume written as they appear on the document.
Before you accept a document
How to check it
- Ask for the file number and the volume or section, not for "a UL certificate".
- Look for the exact model designation inside that coverage list.
- Check whether the recognition is for the cell, the pack, or both.
Questions
UL 1642 & UL 2054 in practice
Does a UL file cover every model from that manufacturer?+
Is UL recognition mandatory in the United States?+
Can a UL file replace IEC 62133?+
This page describes how each standard is applied in practice when lithium cells are bought and shipped. It is a summary for procurement, not the standard text itself, and it does not replace your carrier's acceptance check or your own compliance review.
Related
The other standards
Need to know what is held for a model?
Send the designation. The answer is which documents exist, which are on file, and which would have to be obtained.