CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New safety provisions for transporting lithium batteries became official in the U.S. on March 6, 2019, adding additional marking and labeling requirements for lithium battery shipments transported by road, rail and air. The long-awaited Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Interim Final Rule (IFR) generally harmonizes the DOT 49 CFR with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air regulations, which has been effective in the ICAO TI since April 1, 2016.
Below, Labelmaster, the leading provider of products, services and technology for the safe and compliant transport of dangerous goods (DG) and hazardous materials (hazmat), outlines these changes and what they mean for shippers.
Summary of the Changes
The major changes applicable to the air transport of lithium cells and batteries in the US, effective immediately:
- Prohibits the transport of standalone lithium-ion cells and batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft (does not apply to lithium-ion cells and batteries contained in or packed with equipment).
- Limits standalone lithium-ion cells and batteries to a 30% state of charge (SOC). A limited exception exists for cells/batteries used to power medical devices (requires PHMSA approval).
- Limits excepted shipments of lithium ion and metal cells/batteries to one package per consignment or overpack.
A major marking/labeling requirement is also included in the IFR that impacts road and rail shipments containing excepted lithium ion cells (≤ 20 Wh) and batteries (≤ 100 Wh) shipped in accordance with 49 CFR § 173.185(c). These types of shipments were already required to display the lithium battery mark, but now they must also display either the marking “LITHIUM ION BATTERIES—FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT’’ or be labeled with a ‘‘CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY’’ label. It is important to note that this requirement also applies to lithium-ion cells and batteries contained in/packed with equipment (UN3481) where the package exceeds 5 kg.
According to Brian Beetz, manager of regulatory affairs and corporate responsibility for Labelmaster, “The regulatory requirements for shipping lithium batteries are complex and continue to expand, and having the rules vary by transportation mode only adds to the confusion and increases the chances of mistakes. The new IFR will generally harmonize DOT and ICAO regulations – further promoting safety across the industry by taking steps to ensure standalone lithium-ion batteries are not inadvertently loaded to aircrafts, which can happen with multi-modal transportation.”
Unlike most transport rule changes, there is not a transition period. This makes it critical for companies transporting lithium batteries to understand the changes and ensure their organizations are complaint with the new regulations immediately.
What Shippers Can Do
- Read up on the latest regulations and understand their impact on your operations
- Use “Cargo Aircraft Only” handling labels for lithium battery shipments that meet the criteria
- Implement proper processes to ensure all shipments are safe and compliant – across the supply chain
- Partner with a regulatory expert to answer questions and help ensure compliance
A copy of the complete IFR can be viewed here.
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-621-5808. To learn more about Labelmaster’s products and services for shipping lithium batteries, visit https://www.labelmaster.com/lithium-battery-resources.
About Labelmaster
For more than five decades, Labelmaster has been the go-to source for companies – big and small – to navigate and comply with the complex, ever-changing regulations that govern the transport of dangerous goods and hazardous materials. From hazmat labels and UN-certified packaging, hazmat placards and regulatory publications, to advanced technology and regulatory training, Labelmaster’s comprehensive offering of industry-leading software, products, and services helps customers remain compliant with all dangerous goods regulations, mitigate risk and maintain smooth, safe operations. Labelmaster's dedication to supporting its customers' operational and compliance needs is enhanced through its unmatched industry expertise and consulting services, which serve as a valuable resource for customers to answer difficult and commonplace regulatory questions. Whether you're shipping hazardous materials by land, air, or sea, Labelmaster is your partner in keeping your business ahead of regulations and compliant every step of the way. To learn more, visit www.labelmaster.com.
