IEC 60095-6:2019 is applicable to lead-acid batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V, used primarily as power source for the starting of internal combustion engines (ICE), lighting and also for auxiliary equipment of ICE vehicles. These batteries are commonly called "starter batteries".

The batteries within the scope of this document are used for micro-cycle applications in vehicles which can also be called start-stop (or stop-start, idling-stop system, micro-hybrid or idle-stop-and-go) applications. In cars with this special capability, the internal combustion engine is switched off during a complete vehicle stop, during idling with low speed or during idling where there is no need to support the vehicle movement by the internal combustion engine. During the phases in which the engine is switched off, most of the electric and electronic components of the car are supplied by the battery without support of the alternator. In addition, in most cases an additional regenerative braking (recuperation or regeneration of braking energy) function is installed. The batteries under these applications are stressed in a completely different way compared to classical starter batteries. Aside from these additional properties, these batteries need to crank the ICE and support the lighting and also auxiliary functions in a standard operating mode with the support of the alternator when the internal combustion engine is switched on. All batteries within this scope fulfil basic functions, which are tested under the application of IEC 60095-1.