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STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION FOR G.C.C (GSO)
GSO 34/2007
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LEAD-ACID STARTER BATTERIES USED FOR 
MOTOR VEHICLES AND INTERNAL 
COMBUSTION ENGINES 
ICS: 43.040.00 LEAD-ACID STARTER BATTERIES USED FOR 
MOTOR VEHICLES AND INTERNAL 
COMBUSTION ENGINES 
Date of GSO Board of Directors' Approval : 19-5-1428H (5-6-2007)
Issuing Status : Technical Regulation GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
1Foreword
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a regiona l Organization which consists of the 
National Standards Bodies of GCC member States. One of GSO m ain functions is to issue 
Gulf Standards /Technical regulations through specialize d technical committees (TCs).
GSO through the technical program of committee TC N o(3) " Gulf technical committee for 
Electrical and Electronic Products Specifications S ector " has updated the GSO Standard No: 
GSO 34/1997 " Lead-acid starter batteries used for motor cars & internal combustion 
engines" The Draft Standard has been prepared by (Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia). 
This standard has been approved as a Gulf Technical  Regulation by GSO Board of Directors 
in its meeting No. ( 6 ) ,held on 19/5/1458H , 5/6/ 2007G. The approved standard will replace 
and supersede the GSO standard No. GSO 34/1997. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
2CONTENTS
   
CLAUSE
   
1 SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION   
   
2 COMPLEMENTARY REFERENCES   
   
3 DEFINITIONS   
   
4 MATERIALS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION   
   
5 DIMENSIONS OF BATTERIES AND MATERIALS, DIMENSIONS  
AND MARKING OF TERMINALS
   
6 ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE   
   
7 MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS   
   
8 PACKING   
   
9 TESTING   
   
10 RULES OF ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION   
   
11 MARKING   
TABLES
1 CLASSIFICATION AND DIMENSIONS OF TERMINALS   
   
2 CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF RAPID DISCHARGE OF  
A DRY CHARGED BATTERY AFTER ELECTROLYTE FILLING .... 
   
3 CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF RAPID DISCHARGE AT  
LOW TEMPERATURE  
   
4 SAMPLE SIZE AND CONFORMITY LIMITS   
   
5 TYPE TESTS FOR STANDARD BATTERIES   
   
6 TYPE TESTS FOR MAINTENANCE FREE (MF) BATTERIES   
   
7 TYPE TESTS FOR HEAVY DUTY BATTERIES   GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
3LEAD-ACID STARTER BATTERIES USED FOR 
MOTOR VEHICLES AND INTERNAL 
COMBUSTION ENGINES 
1- SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION
 This standard is concerned with 6 V and 12 V lead- acid batteries, used 
primarily as a power source for starting, lighting auxiliary equipment and 
ignition current of internal combustion engine used i n vehicles.  These batteries 
are commonly called “Starter Batteries” or “SLI (St arting, Lighting and 
Ignition) Batteries”. 
 It covers both the standard batteries ,the mainten ance free (MF) batteries and 
the low maintenance free (LMF) batteries. 
 It is not applicable to batteries for other purpose s such as the starting of railcar 
internal combustion engines or the lighting of omnibuses.  
2- COMPLEMENTARY REFERENCES 
2.1 GSO 35/2007 “Methods of Test for Lead-Acid Starter Bat teries 
Used for Motor Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engines”.  
2.2 GS 686/1997 “Water for Lead-Acid Batteries”. 
2.3 GS 479/1994 “Sulphuric Acid”. 
3-   DEFINITIONS 
3.1 Secondary battery: Voltaic cells which after di scharge, can be brought back to 
its initial (charged) chemical condition by passing  a current through it in a 
reverse direction to that of discharge. 
3.2 Lead-acid battery: A secondary battery in which  the electrodes are made 
mainly from lead compound and the electrolyte is a sulphuric  acid solution. 
 For the SLI lead acid battery, this battery is pro vided with plates 
that contain the following active materials: 
3.2.1 Positive electrode : Lead dioxide. 
3.2.2 Negative electrode: Lead (Spongy lead). 
3.2.3 Electrolyte :        Diluted sulphuric acid. 
3.3 Standard battery: A secondary battery is consid ered as being standard when it 
complies with the requirements of Table 5. 
3.4 Maintenance free (MF) battery: A secondary batt ery which during its service 
needs no addition of water, known as “topping up”, pro vided specified 
operating conditions are fulfilled.  It shall comply with the requirements of 
Table 6. 
3.5 Dry charged battery: A secondary battery contai ning charged plates, but no 
electrolyte, that may be activated by the addition of suitab le electrolyte. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
43.6 Heavy duty battery: A secondary battery is cons idered as being heavy duty 
battery if it complies with the more severe requireme nts of life cycle and 
vibration resistance as described in Table 7. 
3.7 Sealed battery: A secondary battery that has no  provision for “topping up” of 
water, but only allows the escape of gases generated in the ba ttery. 
3.8 Electrolyte: A solution of sulphuric acid that acts as a medium for ion 
movement and electric conduction between positive and nega tive electrodes. 
3.9 Plate: A unit that (singly or in groups) is sub merged in the electrolyte so that 
its surface forms the whole or part of one of the electrodes of  the cell. 
3.10 Active material: The portion of plate in which  chemical changes occur by the 
passage of an electric current through it. 
3.11 Separator: A sheet of porous and/or microporou s insulating materials placed 
between the positive and negative plates to prevent  shorting and to support the 
active materials. 
3.12 Vent plug: A removable plug, in the standard b attery, closing the filling hole, 
which is also employed to permit the free escape of  gas from the cell, the plug 
shall be provided with a barrier whereby electrolyte spray i s arrested. 
3.13 Terminal post  (Top terminal): A lead alloy po st which projects above the lid 
of the end cell of a battery and from which connect ion is made to the external 
circuit or to the end terminal post of another battery. 
3.14 Side terminal: A lead alloy terminal allocated  at the side of the battery.  These 
terminals have threaded “hard” metal inserts for connectio n of cables. 
3.15 Capacity: The quantity of electricity in amper e-hours that may be taken from a 
cell or a battery at a given rate of discharge unde r specified conditions of 
voltage and temperature. 
3.16 Reserve capacity: T  The minimum number of minutes that a fully charged  battery at 
25±2oC  can be continuously discharged at 25±1 A to term inal voltage equal to o 1.75 V per 
cell.
3.17 Activation performance: The cranking performan ce of a dry charged battery 
after activating it, with the specified electrolyte. 
3.18 Charge acceptance: The charge acceptance is a measure of the rechargeability 
of a partially discharged battery. 
3.19 Charging: The passing of an electric current t hrough the cell so as to bring it to 
a chemical condition in which it is capable of supp lying electricity to an 
external circuit.  The quantity of electricity used  for this purpose is called a 
“charge”, and it is measured in ampere-hours. 
3.20 Cranking performance: The amount of time at a given temperature during 
which the battery can continuously deliver high eno ugh current to crank an 
engine before falling to a specified cut-off voltage. 
3.21 Discharging: The connection of a cell to an ex ternal circuit in such a way that 
electric current flows from the cell into the exter nal circuit, the quantity of GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
5electricity taken by this method is called a “disch arge”.  Discharging is 
measured in: 
 Ah (Ampere hours) for C 20 (20 hours capacity); 
 min (Minutes) for RC (Reserve capacity). 
3.22 Life cycle: The life of a battery expressed as  the number of charge and 
discharge cycles it can undergo before falling belo w a specified percentage of 
its capacity. 
3.23 Overcharging: Charging a battery after it has attaine d 100% charge. 
3.24 Self discharge: Loss in capacity over time due  to a chemical reaction 
dependent on the temperature, specific gravity of electroly te and impurities. 
3.25 Vibration test: The ability of a battery to wi thstand specified physical 
permanent strains in laboratory tests. 
3.26 Water consumption: The loss of water in a batt ery during overcharge at 
specified temperature and voltage. 
3.27 Head space: The vertical distance between uppe r level of the inner top surface 
of the battery lid and the electrolyte level. 
3.28 Type tests: Tests carried out to prove conform ity with the requirements of this 
standard. These are intended to prove the general q uality and design of a given 
type of battery. 
3.29 Acceptance tests: Tests carried out on samples selected from a lot for the 
purpose of verifying the acceptability of the lot. 
3.30 Lot: All batteries of the same type, design an d rating, manufactured by the 
same factory during the same period, using the same  process and materials and 
offered for inspection at a time, shall constitute a lot. 
3.31 Routine tests: Tests carried out on every battery. 
3.32 Low Maintenance free battery : A secondary bat tery type standard battery 
which shall comply with the requirements of  Table 5  .
4- MATERIALS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 
 Details of the design and construction of cells an d complete battery are left to 
the manufacturer, upon his option, provided that th e following shall be fulfilled 
in the battery and its different components: 
4.1 Materials 
4.1.1 The battery shall be manufactured from materi als such that it will withstand 
use under the various prevailing operating conditio ns.  It shall be free from any 
apparent defects. 
4.1.2 Materials used in the construction of a batte ry shall be such that the battery 
will comply with the requirements of this standard. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
64.2 Design and construction 
4.2.1 The battery shall be assembled in a mono-block  container and each cell (of a 
standard battery) fitted with a removable vent plug  for the purpose of filling or, 
alternatively, the battery shall have a venting sys tem whereby electrolyte spray 
is arrested without impeding the free escape of gases. 
4.2.2 Each cell shall be sealed within the containe r so as to prevent any leakage of 
electrolyte.
4.3 Container 
 The container shall be strong enough to allow hand ling of the battery in a safe 
manner.  It shall be free from cracks and other mec hanical defects, and made of 
a material not affected by acids. 
4.4 Electrolyte 
4.4.1 New cells shall be filled with diluted sulphu ric acid prepared from a sulphuric 
acid conforming to the standard mentioned in Sub-cl ause 2.3, diluted with 
water conforming to the standard mentioned in Sub-c lause 2.2, to a specific 
gravity of 1.28. 
4.4.2 The specific gravity of the electrolyte in a fully charged battery when put in a 
normal test shall be 1.28 r 0.01 corrected to 27 qC.  Batteries that have no 
provisions for electrolyte access (sealed battery) shall be tested with the 
electrolyte as supplied by the manufacturer. 
4.4.3 In standard battery the manufacturer shall ma rk the height of the 
electrolyte above the plates level so as to permit enough head 
space.
4.4.4 The specific gravity of electrolyte measured by means of the hydrometer shall 
be corrected as follows: 
 For each 1 qC above 27 qC, add 0.0007 to the hydrometer reading; 
 For each 1 qC below 27 qC, deduct 0.0007 from the hydrometer reading. 
4.4.5 For sealed battery designs, electrolyte speci fic gravity and temperature shall be 
measured by carefully drilling a hole in the top of  the battery, per the 
manufacturer’s directions, to gain access to the el ectrolyte.  This hole shall be 
blocked with a rubber stopper during all test times. 
4.5 Flame arrestor 
 A porous material which will allow for the flow of gases generated in the 
battery, but will not allow an external spark or fl ame to propagate through it 
into the battery or cell. 
4.6 Lid (cover) 
 The lid shall be of a material not affected by aci d, strong enough to allow 
handling of the battery in a safe manner and sealed  to the container so as not to 
allow electrolyte leak. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
74.7 Handles 
 Batteries having a weight, in excess of 25 kg incl uding electrolyte shall be 
provided with a lifting means (e.g. handle).  The c hoice of the quality and 
shape of the handles are left to the manufacturer p rovided that handling of the 
battery by means of this handles will be safe and w ill not exceed the normal 
height of the battery. The handles shall also be ca pable of being folded, 
removed or flexible so as not to interfere with the other dime nsions. 
4.8 Sealing and electrolyte retention 
4.8.1 The sealing shall be acid-resistant, well adh ere the parts and no leakage of air 
or electrolyte shall occur when the pressure inside  a dry battery is raised by 2 
N/cm2 above the atmospheric pressure for 15 s. 
4.8.2 The sealing shall withstand temperature variat ion without cracking or changing 
shape when a filled battery is subjected to temperat ure range from -10 qC to 
60qC.  No leakage shall occur through the sealing. 
4.8.3 Electrolyte retention 
 The battery shall retain the liquid electrolyte an d no liquid shall be visible on 
the vent plugs when it is tilted through 45 q from the vertical during a maximum 
period of 1 s and maintained at this position for 3  s on each of its two wide 
sides alternatively at an intervals of not less than 30 s betw een each tilting. 
4.9 Connection 
 The connection between cells shall be made of lead  or lead alloys and shall 
have enough cross-sectional area to ensure specifie d high rate discharge 
characteristics.
4.10 Condition on delivery 
 New batteries may be supplied in any of the following two sta tes: 
- ready for use, filled with the appropriate electro lyte to the maximum 
level.  After an initial charge, the specific gravi ty of the electrolyte shall 
be as specified in Sub-clause 4.4.2, 
- dry-and-charged state not filled with electrolyte .  The specific gravity of 
the electrolyte to fill these batteries before use s hall be as specified in 
Sub-clause 4.4.1. 
4.11 Fastening of the battery 
4.11.1 To secure correct positioning of the battery  on the support, suitable provision 
shall be provided in the battery.  If batteries are  to be fastened to the vehicle by 
means of integral parts (e.g. bottom ledges), these  shall be so designed as to 
withstand acceleration in crash conditions as speci fied by vehicle 
manufacturers.  
4.11.2 Batteries for fastening by the upper part of  the container shall be 
designed so that the cover provides appropriate sup port of the hold 
down device, for instance a metal frame. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
84.11.3 Fastening by the base of the container is ef fected by providing ledges  on the 
lower part (bottom hold down) for fastening over th e length of the long sides 
and notches to prevent movement of the battery lengthwise. 
4.11.4 Fastening by the container, on the short sid es, is effected by fixing lugs with 
notches to prevent movement of the battery crosswise. 
4.12 Ratings 
 The battery shall be rated for “C 20” - capacity in Ampere hours (Ah) or reserve 
capacity “RC” in minutes (min.) to satisfy the requ irement of Sub-clause 6.2 or 
Sub-clause 6.4 respectively and for high rate disch arge current at low 
temperature in Ampere (A) to satisfy the requirement of Sub-c lause 6.3. 
4.13 Charging 
 A battery may be fully charged using constant curr ent or constant voltage.  For 
recombination batteries containing electrolyte in ge l form or absorbed in 
separator, the battery manufacturer shall specify the char ging parameters.   
 One of the following charging methods shall be fol lowed and has 
to be applied at an ambient temperature of (27 r 5)qC.
4.13.1 Charging at constant current 
 The battery is charged with 2 I 20 until a voltage of 2.4 V/cell is 
achieved.  Then the charging is carried out with 2 I20 for additional 
5 h.
 After a rapid discharge capacity test at low temper ature, the same charge is 
applied, however the residual charging time after r eading 2.4 V/cell will be 
only 3 h with 2 I 20.
4.13.2 Charging at constant voltage 
 The battery is charged at 2.667 V/cell  r  0.1 V for a period of 22 to 30 h, the 
current intensity being limited to 5 I 20 or as specified by the manufacturer.   
 A reduction of total charging time to 16 h is admi ssible after a 
rapid discharge capacity test at low temperature. 
4.14 Condition of full charge 
4.14.1 For charging at constant current 
 Two basic criteria may be used to recognize when the battery  is fully charged: 
4.14.1.1 When the temerature corrected  specific gra vity of the electrolyte is constant 
within r 0.005 over three successive hourly intervals, or 
4.14.1.2 When the on charge terminal voltage at the constant  current does not change by 
more than 0.008 volts per cell per hour over three successive h ourly intervals. 
 The readings must be corrected to 27oC (=80oF) to eliminate the effects of 
changing temperatures. 
4.14.2 For charging at constant voltage 
 Two basic criteria may be used to recognize when the battery  is fully charged: GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
94.14.2.1 When the specific gravity of the electrolyt e is constant within r 0.005 over 
three successive hourly intervals, or 
4.14.2.2 When a constant current ( r 1%) is observed over three successive hourly 
intervals at a constant terminal voltage. 
4.15 Arrangement of the cells of the battery 
4.15.1 It is recommended that the cells in the 6 V and 12 V batteries for light vehicles 
are so arranged as shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. 
4.15.2 It is recommended that the cells in the 12 V  batteries for heavy vehicles are so 
arranged as shown in Figure 3 (either of the two arrangements  given). 
   or
FIGURE 1 
ARRANGEMENT OF CELLS IN A 6 V BATTERY FOR LIGHT VEHICLES 
   or
FIGURE 2 
ARRANGEMENT OF CELLS IN A 12 V BATTERY FOR LIGHT VEHICLES 
  or
   or
FIGURE 3 
ARRANGEMENT OF CELLS IN A 12 V BATTERY FOR HEAVY VEHICLES GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
105- DIMENSIONS OF BATTERIES AND MATERIALS, DIMENSION S 
AND MARKING OF TERMINALS 
5.1 Dimensions of batteries 
 It is recommended, as far as practicable, that the  external 
dimensions of the batteries are in accordance with that given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.4. 
5.2 Materials, dimensions and marking of terminals 
5.2.1 The terminals shall be made of lead alloy and  of the dimensions specified in 
Table 1. 
5.2.2 The dimensions and marking of the terminals s hall be in accordance with that 
given in the standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.4, provided that the following 
shall be fulfilled: 
5.2.2.1 Classes A (T 1) and B (T 2)    shall be the tapered terminal of the shape and  
dimensions shown in Figure 4 and Table 1. 
5.2.2.2 Classes C (T 3) and D (T 4) shall be the bolt and nut terminal of the shape a nd 
dimension shown in Figure 4.  
TABLE 1 
CLASSIFICATION AND DIMENSIONS OF TERMINALS
Classificatio
nDimensions (mm) 
of terminalsD d h 
+  (P) Pole - (N) Pole +  (P) Pole - (N) Pole + (P) & - (N) 
A (T 1) 19.5
0
0 3 . 17.9  
0
0 3 .  17
3
0
B (T 2) 14.7
0
0 3 . 13.0  
0
0 3 .  17
3
0GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
11
 Classes A (T 1) and B (T 2)      Class D (T 4)
Flat Terminal – C (T 3)
All dimensions in millimetres
FIGURE 4 
TERMINAL DIMENSIONS 
6- ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE 
 Batteries shall be so designed as to fulfil the fo llowing requirements: 
6.1 Rapid discharge capacity of a dry charged batter y at normal temperature 
(Activation test) 
 The conditions and requirements of this test shall  be as stated in Table 2. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
12TABLE 2 
CONDITIONS & REQUIREMENTS OF RAPID DISCHARGE OF A DRY
CHARGED BATTERY AFTER ELECTROLYTE FILLING 
Initial
temperature 
of the Discharge
currentMinimum 
discharge time Voltage at battery 
terminals after 
discharge of 5 to 7 
secondsFinal voltage at 
battery terminals 
electrolyte    6 V 
battery 12 V 
battery 6 V 
battery 12 V 
battery 
oC A min s V V V V 
27r  2 3 C 20/3.75 C5 2 30 4 8 3 6 
6.2 Rated capacity “C 20” (slow discharge rate capacity) 
 Batteries placed in service in accordance with the  manufacturer’s instructions 
shall reach at least 90% of  the rated capacity “C 20” declared by the manufacturer 
at least once during the course of the first three cycles of discharge. 
6.3 Rapid discharge capacity at low temperature 
6.3.1 The conditions and the requirements of this t est shall be as stated in Table 3.  
Batteries placed in service in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction 
shall reach the specified values at least once duri ng the course of the first three 
cycles of rapid discharge at low temperature. 
TABLE 3 
CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF RAPID DISCHARGE
AT LOW TEMPERATURE 
Initial temperature Discharge Minimum 30s voltage at 
battery terminals 
of the electrolyte current discharge time 6 V 
battery 12 V 
battery 
oC A s V V 
-18r  1 Rated current 30 3.6 7.2 
6.3.2 The rapid discharge capacity test at low temp erature shall be carried out after 
the C 20 checking of the rated capacity or reserve capacity  test, as indicated in  
point 6 of Tables 5, 6 & 7. 
6.4 Reserve capacity “RC” (= C RC)GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
13 Batteries placed in service in accordance with the  manufacturer’s instructions 
shall reach the rated reserve capacity “RC” declare d by the manufacturer at 
least once during the course of the first three cyc les of discharge. 
6.5 Charge acceptance 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, the recorded charging current Ica shall 
fulfil the following formula: 
 The ratio i ca = I
Cca
e
20   shall be t 2. 
 Where C e is defined as in Sub-clause 13.1 of the standard m entioned in Sub-
clause 2.1.
6.6 Conservation of charge (self discharge - loss of capaci ty during storage) 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, the voltage a fter 30 s for maintenance 
free batteries shall be not less than 1.333 V per c ell and that for the standard 
batteries shall be not less than 1.200 V per cell. 
6.7 Battery life (Endurance) 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, the following shall b e fulfilled: 
6.7.1 Battery life for standard and maintenance free batte ries 
 The standard and maintenance free batteries shall give a minimum of four
endurance test units. 
6.7.2 Battery life for heavy duty batteries 
 The heavy duty batteries shall give a minimum of seven endurance test units. 
6.8 Water consumption 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, the water con sumption of maintenance-
free and low maintenance free batteries shall not b e higher than 3 g/Ah or 2 
g/min of effective capacity “C e”.
6.9 Leakage of air 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, there shall n ot be any pressure drop at 
the end of 15 seconds. 
6.10 Leakage of electrolyte (Heat endurance) 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, there shall n ot be any leakage of 
electrolyte or liquefaction of the sealing compound. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
147- MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS 
 Batteries shall be so designed as to fulfil the following re quirements: 
7.1 Vibration resistance 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, the following shall b e fulfilled: 
7.1.1 Batteries shall be able to maintain service u nder periodic or irregular 
acceleration forces. 
7.1.2 The battery terminal 30 s voltage after vibra tion resistance test may not 
decrease by more than 0.25 V/cell. 
7.2 Electrolyte retention 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, batteries sha ll retain the liquid 
electrolyte under the specified mechanical conditions. 
7.3 Strength of terminals 
 When the batteries are tested in accordance with t he relevant test given in the 
standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1, the terminal of the battery shall have 
adequate strength so as to withstand the specified torque du ring the test. 
8- PACKING 
8.1 Batteries shall be packed in a suitable means s o as to protect it from damage 
and deterioration during transportation and handling. 
8.2 The package shall be marked with the necessary information. 
9- TESTING 
9.1 Sampling 
9.1.1 For type tests 
 The samples shall be withdrawn at random from stoc k or routine factory 
production by the testing authority.  Five sample u nits from each type of 
battery shall be subjected to the type tests mentioned in Sub -clause 9.3.1. 
9.1.2 For acceptance (conformity or sample) tests 
9.1.2.1 The supplied batteries consignment shall be  divided into lots, each of which 
shall constitute all the batteries of the same type , design and rating, 
manufactured by the same factory, during the same period. 
9.1.2.2 From each lot (N) a sample of batteries (n),  in accordance with Table 4, shall 
be withdrawn at random and subjected to the accepta nce tests mentioned in 
9.3.2.
9.1.2.3 If repeating of tests is required, a furthe r sample of the same size as taken in 
the first stage shall be withdrawn at random and tested. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
15TABLE 4 
SAMPLE SIZE AND CONFORMITY LIMITS 
Lot size 
NFirst
sample 
nSecond
sample 
n2n C 1 C2 C3
Up  to     50 2 2 4 0 1 1 
51   to   300 3 3 6 0 1 1 
301 to   500 5 5 10 0 2 2 
501 to 1000 8 8 16 0 2 2 
1001 and above 13 13 26 0 3 4 
9.2 Methods of test 
 Tests shall be carried out in accordance with GS ........ “Methods of Test for 
Lead-Acid Starter Batteries Used for Motor Vehicles  and Internal Combustion 
Engines”.
9.3 Tests 
9.3.1 Type tests 
9.3.1.1 The tests given in Tables 5, 6 & 7 shall co nstitute the type tests for standard 
batteries, maintenance free (MF) batteries and heav y duty batteries 
respectively, and shall be carried out on the sample  units withdrawn according 
to Sub-clause 9.1.1. 
9.3.1.2 The sequence of the tests shall be as given in Tables  5, 6 & 7, as applicable.GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
17TABLE 5 
TYPE TESTS FOR STANDARD & LMF  BATTERIES 
No. Name of the Test Sample Unit No. Clause No. of 
the Test in 
GS ...* 
1 2 3 4 5 
1 Visual Inspection x x x x x 5 
2 Checking of Materials, Construction, Packing 
and Marking x x x x x 6 
3 Checking of Dimensions x x x x x 7 
4 Leakage of Air** or Electrolyte - - - - x 16 or 2 0 
5 Rapid Discharge Capacity of a Dry Charged 
Battery at Normal Temperature After Filling 
(Activation Test)**x x x x - 10
6 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x x x x x 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
7 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x x x x x 11 
8 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x # # # # 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
9 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x # # # # 11 
10 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x # # # # 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
11 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x # # # # 11 
12 Charge Acceptance x - - - - 13 
13 Conservation of Charge (Self Discharge - 
Loss of Capacity During Storage) - x - - - 14 
14 Battery Life (Endurance Test) - - - - x 15 
15 Water Consumption (x) - - - - 17 
16 Vibration Resistance - - x - - 18 
17 Electrolyte Retention - - - x - 19 
18 Heat Endurance (Leak Testing) - - - x - 20 
19 Strength of Terminal x - - - - 21 
* The standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1. 
X Test is applicable. 
(x)  Test is applicable only for low maintenance free  standard batteries 
**  Test is applicable only for dry batteries 
# Test is only necessary if the nominal values have not be en achieved. 
- Test is not applicable. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
18TABLE 6 
TYPE TESTS FOR MAINTENANCE FREE (MF) BATTERIES AND LOW 
MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY 
No. Name of the Test Sample Unit No. Clause No. 
of the Test 
in GS ...* 
1 2 3 4 5 
1 Visual Inspection x x x x x 5 
2 Checking of Materials, Construction, Packing 
and Marking x x x x x 6 
3  Checking of Dimensions x x x x x 7 
4 Leakage of Air** or Electrolyte - - - - x 16 or 2 0 
5 Rapid Discharge Capacity of a Dry Charged 
Battery at Normal Temperature After Filling 
(Activation Test)**x x x x - 10
6 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x x x x x 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
7 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x x x x x 11 
8 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x # # # # 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
9 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x # # # # 11 
10 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x # # # # 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
11 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x # # # # 11 
12 Charge Acceptance x - - - - 13 
13 Conservation of Charge  (Self Discharge - 
Loss of Capacity During Storage) - x - - - 14 
14 Battery Life  (Endurance Test) - - - - x 15 
15 Water Consumption x - - - - 17 
16 Vibration Resistance - - x - - 18 
17 Electrolyte Retention - - - x - 19 
18 Heat Endurance (Leak Testing) - - - x - 20 
19 Strength of Terminal x - - - - 21 
* The standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1. 
X Test is applicable. 
**  Test is applicable only for dry batteries 
# Test is only necessary if the nominal values have  not been achieved. 
- Test is not applicable. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
19TABLE 7 
TYPE TESTS FOR HEAVY DUTY BATTERIES 
No. Name of the Test Sample Unit No. Clause No. 
of the Test 
in GS ...* 
1 2 3 4 5 
1 Visual Inspection x x x x x 5 
2 Checking of Materials, Construction, Packing 
and Marking x x x x x 6 
3 Checking of Dimensions x x x x x 7 
4 Leakage of Air** or Electrolyte - - - - x 16 or 2 0 
5 Rapid Discharge Capacity of a Dry Charged 
Battery at Normal Temperature After Filling 
(Activation Test)**x x x x - 10
6 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x x x x x 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
7 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x x x x x 11 
8 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x # # # # 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
9 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x # # # # 11 
10 Rated Capacity, C 20, or x # # # # 9 
 Reserve Capacity, RC      12 
11 Rapid Discharge Capacity at Low 
Temperature x # # # # 11 
12 Charge Acceptance x - - - - 13 
13 Conservation of Charge  (Self Discharge - 
Loss of Capacity During Storage) - x - - - 14 
14 Battery Life  (Endurance Test) - - - - x 15 
15 Water Consumption (x) - - - - 17 
16 Vibration Resistance - - x - - 18 
17 Electrolyte Retention - - - x - 19 
18 Heat Endurance (Leak Testing) - - - x - 20 
19 Strength of Terminal x - - - - 21 
* The standard mentioned in Sub-clause 2.1. 
X Test is applicable. 
(x)  Test is applicable only for maintenance free an d low maintenance free heavy duty batteries 
** Test is applicable only for dry batteries. 
# Test is only necessary if the nominal values have  not been achieved. 
- Test is not applicable. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
209.3.2  Acceptance tests 
 The following tests shall constitute the acceptanc e tests, which shall be carried 
out in the same order on the sample units withdrawn according to Sub-clause 
9.1.2:
9.3.2.1 Visual inspection. 
9.3.2.2 Checking of materials, construction, packing and  marking. 
9.3.2.3 Checking of dimensions. 
9.3.2.4 Test for leakage of air (for a dry charged battery) or electrolyte (for a wet 
charged battery). 
9.3.2.5 Rapid discharge capacity test of a dry char ged battery at normal temperature  
(activation Test). 
9.3.2.6 Checking of rated capacity “C 20” (slow discharge rate capacity), or Reserve 
capacity “RC”. 
9.3.2.7 Rapid discharge capacity test at low temperature.  
9.3.3 Routine tests 
 The following tests shall constitute the routine te sts, which shall be 
carried out on each produced battery by the manufacturer: 
9.3.3.1 Visual inspection. 
9.3.3.2 Checking of materials, construction, packing and  marking. 
9.3.3.3 Test for leakage of air (for a dry charged battery) or electrolyte (for a wet 
charged battery). 
10- RULES OF ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION 
10.1 For batteries subjected to type tests (type approval)  
 The type shall be considered conforming to this st andard if all sample units 
(withdrawn according to Sub-clause 9.1.1) pass all of their relevant type tests 
mentioned in Sub-clause 9.3.1.  If any of the sample units fail in the relevant 
type test, a new sample double the number of the ori ginal one shall be 
withdrawn and subjected to the test(s) in which fai lure occurred.  The type 
shall be considered conforming to this standard if all units of the new sample 
pass the test(s), otherwise it shall be considered non-conf orming. 
10.2 For lots subjected to acceptance tests (the type of whi ch has been approved) 
10.2.1 Each consignment of batteries shall be accom panied with a certificate stating 
its compliance with this standard. 
10.2.2 The lot shall be considered conforming to th is standard if all sample units 
(withdrawn according to Sub-clause 9.1.2) pass all the acceptance tests 
mentioned in Sub-clause 9.3.2.  A battery shall be declared defective if it fails 
in one or more of the acceptance tests.  If the num ber of defectives is less than 
or equal to C 1 the lot shall be considered conforming to this sta ndard.  If the 
number of defectives is equal to or greater than C 2 the lot shall be considered 
not conforming to this standard.  If the number of defectives in the first sample GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
21is less than C 2 and greater than C 1, a further sample of the same size as 
withdrawn in the first stage shall be withdrawn and  tested.  If the number of 
defectives in the two samples combined is less than C 3 the lot shall be 
considered conforming to this standard, otherwise t he lot shall be considered 
not conforming. 
11- MARKING 
11.1 The following information shall be legibly and  indelibly marked on 
each battery in Arabic and/or English. 
11.1.1 Manufacturer’s name or trademark. 
11.1.2 Country of origin. 
11.1.3 A manufacturer’s type indication that enable s the information to be readily 
obtained from manufacturer’s catalogues or similar public ations. 
11.1.4 Suitable performance designations rated capa city [in C 20 (Ah) or RC (min)] 
and rated current according to this standard. If ad ditional ratings are given 
according to other standards, then a reference to t he standard in question has to 
be indicated in conjunction with the rated capacity. 
 EXAMPLE: 
Mandatory  Cold cranking Amps 
(CCA)Rated Capacity
(C20 or RC) 
 GS 470 A 66 Ah or 90 min 
Optional SAE 470 A 90 min 
 DIN 350 A 66 Ah 
 etc. xxx A yyy Ah GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
2211.1.5 Number or date of the batch of production. 
11.1.6 Upper and lower electrolyte levels in case of transp arent containers. 
NOTE: A maintenance free battery may also be marked with “Maintenan ce Free” or “MF” 
and a low maintenance free battery may also be marke d with “low Maintenance Free” or 
“LMF”  according to GS .............” (i.e. this st andard) in addition to the Sub-clauses given 
above (11.1.1 to 11.1.6). 
11.2 Safety labelling 
11.2.1 Each battery  shall be marked with SIX coloured symbols a s shown in Figure 
5.
FIGURE 5 
SIX COLOURED SYMBOLS
11.2.2 The symbols shall have common dimensions as shown in Figure 6 with a 
minimum dimension of 10 mm. 
FIGURE 6 
COMMON DIMENSIONS OF THE SAFETY SYMBOLS 
11.2.3 The symbols shall be located in a group as shown in Figure  5, on the top of the 
battery.
11.2.4 No text in any language shall be used with the symbols . 
11.2.5 In the original equipment market, the meanin g of the symbols shall be found in 
the vehicle booklet in Arabic and English. GSO STANDARD                           GSO 34/2007
2311.2.6 In the replacement market, the meaning of th e symbols shall be in the booklet 
supplied with the battery (Sub-clause 11.3). 
11.2.7 The meaning of the symbols are: 
(RED) No smoking, no naked flames, no sparks 
(BLUE) Shield eyes 
(RED) Keep away from children 
(YELLOW) Battery acid 
(BLUE) Note operating instructions 
(YELLOW) Explosive gas 
11.3 Each battery shall be supplied with a sticker or any other appropriate means 
containing the following information in Arabic and English : 
11.3.1 The information mentioned in Sub-clauses 11.1 and 11.2, where 
applicable.
11.3.2 Activation instructions for a dry charged ba ttery (i.e. instructions for putting it 
into service). 
11.3.3 Appropriate instructions for precautions to b e followed on handling, 
installation, maintenance, topping up and charging.  
11.3.4 Any additional information the manufacturer finds necessary to indicate certain 
characteristics in his products. 
11.4 Polarity 
11.4.1 For top terminal batteries, a mark (“+” and “-”, “P” and “N” or “POS and 
NEG”) on the top end of each of the battery terminals o r on the top cover of the 
container in close proximity to the terminal indicating its  polarity is required. 
11.4.2 For side terminal batteries, polarity markings  (“ + and -”, “P and N” or “POS 
and NEG”) on a label (on the top of a battery) are al lowable, however addition 
non-removable markings must coexist on the battery o n the container or cover 
in close proximity to the terminal. 
11.5 Warranty 
 Each battery shall be provided with a warranty declaration against the 
manufacturing defects for not less than one year fr om the date of purchase by 
the end-user .