what data do I need to request from my cell supplier for the passport
Cell data is the foundation of the entire passport
When requesting cell data from a cell supplier, you request the chemical composition of the cell, the nominal capacity and voltage, the weight, the lifetime data (cycle durability, expected capacity degradation), and the origin of the raw materials cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite. These are the building blocks with which the battery passport will be compiled later: without this cell data, the core of what must subsequently be accessible via the QR code is missing. A battery pack (for example for an e-bike or scooter) often consists of cells from one supplier, assembled by another party — the data about the cell itself therefore comes directly from the cell supplier, not from the party assembling the pack.
This applies to the cell, not to the complete battery pack
What is being requested here concerns the cell as a separate component: the chemistry, the electrochemical performance and the raw material origin. This is different from the data about the assembled battery pack, such as the BMS (battery management system), the housing, the wiring and the way cells are connected to each other. That latter data typically comes from the party that processes the cells into a pack — often the same importer or assembler who ultimately has the passport compiled. Anyone looking for a complete overview of what is generally requested from a battery supplier (not specifically the cell, but the entire pack) will find that in what data must I request from my battery supplier. This page focuses specifically on the cell level, because cell and pack suppliers are often two different companies and the data therefore also needs to be requested separately and from the correct party.
From 18 February 2027 this must be in the passport
The obligation to maintain a digital battery passport applies from 18 February 2027. Until that date there is no legal obligation to process this data in a passport yet, but the data now being requested from a cell supplier does not change as that date approaches — the same chemistry, capacity and origin will still be needed. There is therefore no reason to wait with requesting this data until shortly before the date: the time between now and then is precisely the time needed to collect data, verify it and resolve any gaps with the supplier.
Here's how you proceed: from requesting to recording
Start with an overview of which cells are used in which batteries, per supplier — this prevents data later being unable to be traced to the correct cell. Next, request per cell type the chemical composition (for example LFP, NMC or another cell chemistry), the nominal capacity in Ah, the nominal voltage, the weight per cell, and data on the expected cycle durability. Also explicitly request the origin of cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite in the cell — this is related to the due diligence obligation that applies to these raw materials, described in what does the due diligence obligation for batteries entail, and specifically in what should I know about cobalt, lithium and graphite from risk areas.
If the cell supplier is based outside the EU, for example in China, requesting this data often differs from a European supplier — different documentation practices, different languages, and sometimes reluctance to share chemical or origin data. Practical guidance for this is in how do I get the correct passport data from a manufacturer in China.
After the data has been received, it is advisable to verify it before it is passed on to the passport — cell specifications on a datasheet do not always match the cell actually supplied, especially if a supplier changes sub-suppliers in the meantime. What this verification looks like in practice is described in how do I verify whether my supplier's data is correct. If the same cell type comes from multiple suppliers, it is important that it remains clear which data belongs to which delivery; that subject is addressed in what should I do if the same battery comes from different suppliers. And to prevent a supplier from simply failing to provide this data, it is advisable to include data delivery as a condition in the procurement contract — see how do I record the supply of passport data in my purchase contract. If a supplier nevertheless withholds data despite agreements, then my supplier does not supply the data — what can I do sets out what the options are.
Where this is derived from: Annex XIII and Articles 38-44
Which data must be included in the battery passport is laid down in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (Battery Regulation). This Annex specifies, among other things, chemical composition, capacity, and the origin of raw materials as data that must be available per battery. Who in the supply chain is responsible for providing which data follows from Articles 38 to 44 of the same Regulation, which describe the obligations of economic operators (manufacturers, importers, distributors). For cells procured as a separate component and later incorporated into a pack, this means that the cell supplier as an economic operator is responsible for data on the cell itself, while the data on the assembled pack lies with another party in the supply chain.
For those who are not yet certain whether the battery passport applies to their own situation at all, does the battery passport apply to my batteries provides a first point of reference, and what exactly is a battery passport explains what the term broadly entails.
When engaging in discussion with a cell supplier, it is best to start with a list of the cell types being procured and ask per type which chemical and origin data are available — this immediately clarifies where gaps remain, well before the passport becomes mandatory.
What this is based on
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Annex XIII (data in the battery passport)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Articles 38 to 44 (obligations of economic operators)
The Regulation itself is on EUR-Lex. We refer for each statement; you need not believe us.
What you need to do concretely
A battery pack consists of cells, a housing, a BMS and wiring — but the data that must be included in the passport is largely contained in those cells. For anyone assembling or importing packs and who must provide the passport, a large portion of that data depends on what the cell supplier delivers. This makes the procurement relationship with that supplier one of the most important links in the entire process.
What is expected of you
Request chemical composition of the cell
Annex XIII to Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (Battery Regulation) names chemical composition as part of the data that must be included in the passport. For a company that assembles packs from procured cells, this means that this information cannot be determined by itself without laboratory analysis — it comes from the cell manufacturer. When assembling packs from multiple cell types (for example different chemistries in one serial production line), it is important to receive this data per cell type separately and not to generalise across an entire product series.
Record the origin of raw materials
Cells contain cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite, and for some of these raw materials separate obligations apply regarding origin and due diligence, as described on the page on what the due diligence obligation for batteries entails. A company of, for example, 20 employees that procures cells from a cell manufacturer in Asia will rarely receive this origin information without asking; requesting it is a separate action, separate from the technical datasheet that is normally provided. More on the background to this obligation is on the page on cobalt, lithium and graphite from areas of concern.
Collect performance data and durability indicators
Capacity, nominal voltage, expected service life in charge cycles and internal resistance are among the data that according to Annex XIII should be included in the passport. These are measured values that the cell manufacturer determines during qualification tests. For an assembly company, it is important to receive these values at cell level, not as an estimate at pack level — especially since a pack connects multiple cells in series or in parallel and the aggregate values would not otherwise be correct.
Keep data up to date when cell type changes
Articles 38 to 44 of the Battery Regulation describe the obligations of market participants, including the requirement to keep accurate data available. A cell supplier occasionally modifies a recipe or a raw material supplier without the cell's appearance changing. For a company that operates the same product line for years with the "same" cell, this means that a fixed agreement is needed on when the supplier reports a change — this does not happen automatically. This also raises the question of what to do if the same battery comes from different suppliers, for example in dual sourcing of cells.
Make documentation traceable to the delivered batch
Data in the passport must be traceable to the actually delivered battery, not to a generic product description. For an importer who receives cells from different production batches per shipment, this means that the link between batch number and the associated cell data must be recorded at the time of receipt — finding out after the fact which cells were in which pack is considerably more difficult.
Where things go wrong in practice
An importer receives a general datasheet from the cell manufacturer that applies to the entire product line, while the actual delivery comes from a newer production batch with a slightly modified chemical composition. Nobody signals the difference because the datasheet appears unchanged.
An assembly company purchases cells from a distributor and not directly from the cell manufacturer. The distributor has only the technical specifications, not the origin data of the raw materials — these remain with the manufacturer and are never passed on.
In a pack with cells from two different manufacturers (to spread supply risk) only one set of cell data is entered in the passport, based on the first supplier. The second supplier delivers a slightly different lifespan indication, which is not processed.
An e-bike importer requests the cell data only when the passport must already be created, while the factory abroad has a response time of several weeks. This type of delay occurs more frequently with factories outside the EU; the approach for this is described on the page about obtaining passport data from a manufacturer in China.
Data does arrive, but in a free-text PDF with screenshots of test results, not in a form that can be transferred into the passport. Afterwards, values must be manually retyped, with risk of errors — an issue that is related to the appropriate format of supplied data.
What you can record
- A fixed list of cell data requested with each order: chemical composition, nominal capacity and voltage, expected cycle life, internal resistance, and origin of cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite.
- The batch number or batch number of the cell delivery, linked to the associated cell data, so that a pack remains traceable afterwards to the correct dataset.
- A written agreement with the cell supplier on notification obligation in case of changes to recipe, raw material source or production process — this is something to include in the purchasing terms, see the explanation about recording agreements in the purchasing contract.
- Confirmation from the supplier on the source of the stated data (own laboratory test, statement from a sub-supplier, or certificate from a third party), so that in case of doubt it is clear where the data comes from — relevant when verifying the accuracy of supplied data.
- A fixed contact point at the cell supplier for passport data, separate from the regular purchasing contact person, so that technical questions do not get lost in a general order mailbox.
- A protocol for what to do when the supplier fails to deliver, partially delivers or delivers requested data too late — the approach for this is detailed on the page about what to do if a supplier does not supply the data.
The complete list of mandatory passport data is set out in Annex XIII to the Battery Regulation; which data apply specifically to a particular battery type can be found on the page describing whether the battery passport applies.
This is not legal advice. This page provides general information about the legislation that this platform covers. We do not know your situation. If in doubt about your own case, consult a lawyer or the competent supervisory authority.
Written with AI based on the sources above, checked by a human on 2026-09-05. Is something incorrect? Let us know — corrections take priority.