On 21 January 2026, the ISO 3941:2026 standard – Classification of Fires – was updated to introduce a new fire class, Class L, covering fires involving lithium-ion cells and batteries that do not contain metallic lithium.

This change is fundamental. It recognises that lithium-ion battery fires require a different approach to extinguishing, isolation and preventive safeguards, as they are characterised by significantly higher energy density, leading to faster and more intense fire development.

In practice, this means that occupational health and safety procedures and fire safety instructions must be reviewed and updated, including the introduction of more specialised portable firefighting equipment.

Find more articles in PRO HR February 2026.