Battery Capacity Labeling (China CCC Regulation)
China now requires battery labels to display the minimum guaranteed capacity, rather than the average (nominal) capacity, to better protect consumers.
This minimum value represents the lowest capacity that every cell of that model must meet or exceed.
This is an internal Chinese regulation that will apply to every battery made in China.
Minimum vs. Typical vs. Nominal Capacity
Minimum Capacity: The guaranteed lower limit for all batteries of a given model.
Typical Capacity: The measured average capacity under standardized test conditions.
Nominal Capacity: The rated or representative average capacity commonly used for product classification.
For example, a battery with a 3500mAh nominal capacity might have a 3450mAh typical capacity, with a 3300mAh minimum capacity.
Traditionally, this is marketed as a 3500 mAh battery — but going forward, the wrapper on the battery itself will display minimum capacity, per regulation.
Why Capacity Varies
Even within the same model, small differences in materials, production tolerances, and testing conditions can cause slight variations in capacity.
Manufacturers define minimum and typical values to ensure consistent performance across all units, even accounting for these natural variations.
CCC Certification & GB 31241 Standard
The China Compulsory Certification (CCC) is a mandatory safety and performance program covering products such as lithium-ion cells, power banks, and power adapters.
Batteries sold in China must comply with GB 31241-2022, which includes this minimum-capacity labeling requirement.
Why Labels May Look Lower
Manufacturers selling globally often use the CCC-compliant minimum capacity on all packaging to avoid duplicate labeling.
As a result, the printed rating may appear slightly lower than previous nominal-based labels — but this reflects a stricter, guaranteed minimum, not reduced performance.
Enforcement
The CCC mark is required for batteries sold or transported within China.
Non-compliant products can be denied import, sale, or transport — including recent airport restrictions on power banks without visible 3C labels.
