An electrochromic multi-layer stack is provided. The multi-layer stack includes an electrochromic multi-layer stack having a first substrate, a first electrically conductive layer, a first electrode layer, an ion conductor layer, a second substrate, a second electrically conductive layer, and a second electrode layer. The multi-layer stack includes a redox element, wherein the redox element is electrically isolated from the first and second electrically conductive layers and the first and second electrode layer and is laterally adjacent to either the first electrically conductive layer and the first electrode, or the second electrically conductive layer and the second electrode layer. A method for controlling an electrochromic device is also provided.