Special batteries are used in devices that need to be reliable. VARTA Consumer Batteries is now making a clear promise: six battery types with up to 95 per cent more energy than required. In future, the performance of the cells will be clearly displayed on the packaging.
When your blood glucose monitor stops working in the middle of the night, your smart door sensor stops responding, or your camera fails on a long-planned trip, it’s often down to an empty special battery. These small cells are designed for specific devices that are particularly compact or require a constant high energy supply. It’s not possible to simply replace them with standard batteries. Anyone looking for a replacement finds themselves in a shop facing a shelf full of batteries from various manufacturers, with little guidance. VARTA Consumer Batteries is now changing this with a clear performance promise on the packaging.
With its performance labelling, VARTA is now shining a brighter light on this invisible performance. In the special battery segment, the company will in future label its packaging with a clear performance promise. At the heart of this are three letters that may seem abstract to many consumers at first glance, but are crucial for experts: the IEC 60086-2 standard.
The IEC standard: the objective benchmark for batteries
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines globally recognised testing procedures for batteries. These specify the conditions under which batteries are tested and the minimum performance levels they must achieve in order to be sold. This standard ensures that products are comparable and reliable. For manufacturers, this provides a clear benchmark. For users, it means peace of mind in everyday life.
VARTA uses this benchmark to demonstrate the performance of its special batteries transparently. The new information on the packaging shows just how significantly the products exceed the required minimum values. This is not about theoretical laboratory figures, but about real-world runtime under standardised conditions.
Six types, one goal
The new performance promise initially applies to six battery types from the VARTA portfolio. These include selected lithium button cells, such as those used in smart door locks, car keys with keyless entry, or medical measuring devices. It also includes lithium cylindrical cells, for example for surveillance cameras, alarm system sensors and high-quality outdoor flashlights. In other words, devices where an unexpected battery failure can have unpleasant consequences. Depending on the type, they deliver up to 40 per cent or 55 per cent more power.
Alkaline round and button cells even promise up to 95 per cent more energy compared to the defined IEC minimum requirements. These figures are based on standardised tests and internal comparative measurements. They highlight the performance of modern special batteries, which until now has often only been perceived indirectly.
From technical value to practical guidance
For consumers, the new labelling means one thing above all else: greater clarity. When buying batteries today, people often make their decision on the spur of the moment, when a device stops working. Clear, easy-to-understand information on the packaging helps them identify the right product more quickly.
At the same time, the new labelling also appeals to tech-savvy users. In areas such as smart homes, outdoor equipment or photography, reliable power sources are crucial. Here, it is not just important that a battery works, but also for how long and under what conditions.
A small step with a big impact
The new performance claims will be introduced on packaging in stages from mid-2026. They apply to key product types such as CR2430, CR2450, CR123A and CR2, as well as the special-purpose alkaline batteries V13GA (LR44) and V23GA. In addition to its established bestsellers - the CR2032, CR2025, and CR2016, which have for some time been promoted with a performance claim of up to 80 % more energy compared to the IEC standard - VARTA is strategically broadening its portfolio by introducing further key product types across lithium coin cells as well as alkaline and lithium cylindrical batteries.
What may seem like a minor change at first glance is actually of considerable significance. In an increasingly connected world, the number of small electronic devices is growing steadily. With this growth comes an increasing need for reliable power sources.
VARTA Special Batteries are available from electrical retailers, DIY stores, major supermarkets and online retailers such as Amazon.
*All performance figures are based on internal tests in accordance with IEC 60086-2 Ed. 14.0. Actual performance may vary depending on the device and usage.
Further VARTA Consumer Batteries product and company information can be found here:
www.varta-ag.com/en/consumer
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