Revolutionary Packaging for Lithium Batteries
Labelmaster recently partnered with a premier technology provider to design and develop a new lithium battery packaging solution that will transform lithium battery transport. These lithium battery packages will come in single-use fiberboard and multi-use metal packages. The benefits of these packages are:
- Simple and lightweight — these packages are lighter and far less complex than today’s compliant packaging
- Packages are shipped fully assembled, no time wasted
- Require no extra inner packaging, gel-packs, pellets or liners
These packs and boxes help mitigate pressure, fire, flame, gas and ballistic projectile hazards and our Obexion Max products meet the SAE G-27 draft standard, 3rd edition. Get more info about our new lithium battery packaging solution.
Products to Help You Comply With Lithium Battery Regulations
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| Cargo Aircraft Only Labels | Lithium Battery Forbidden Markings | Lithium Battery Peel Away Document | Lithium Battery Labels | Battery Labels |
How to Ship Lithium Batteries by Air
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) — the United Nations agency that regulates the transport of dangerous goods aboard aircraft — enacted a ban on transporting standalone lithium ion batteries (UN 3480) as cargo on passenger aircraft. The ban has been in effect for 2 years now.
Since lithium metal batteries (UN 3090) were already prohibited, the new regulation means no standalone lithium batteries, in any quantity or packaging, may be shipped as cargo on passenger aircraft.
Important information on How to Ship Lithium Batteries by Air.
New Carrier Shipping Policies
FedEx Battery Shipping Policy - Effective January 1, 2017
FedEx Express is changing its policy on standalone shipments of lithium batteries (i.e., not packed in or with equipment). That means shippers will have to change the way they prepare these shipments if they want to continue using FedEx Express. According to the new FedEx Express Battery Shipping Policy, all standalone shipments of lithium batteries will require transport as fully regulated shipments under either Section 1A or Section 1B of ICAO/IATA Packing Instructions 965 and 968, respectively. [ READ MORE ]
UPS Battery Shipping Policy - Effective January 1, 2017
UPS follows FedEx and is changing its requirements for standalone shipments of lithium batteries (i.e., not packed in or with equipment) shipped by air. That means shippers will have to change the way they prepare these shipments if they want to continue using UPS Air services. New requirements in the UPS Battery Shipping Policy are that all standalone shipments of lithium batteries will require transport as fully regulated shipments under either Section 1A or Section 1B of ICAO/IATA Packing Instructions 965 and 968, respectively. [ READ MORE ]
Power Up Your Business for Revised Mandatory Regulations on Shipping Lithium Batteries
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), now requires mandatory compliance that significantly reduces the exception allowances for shipping lithium batteries, which are potentially dangerous if not safely packed and handled when transported. On February 13, 2015 PHMSA responded to concerns regarding the difficulty in achieving full compliance and announced that it will extend the mandatory compliance date until August 7, 2015 for non-air transport of lithium cells and batteries. However, air transport of lithium batteries or cells now have new battery packaging, marking, and labeling requirements as part of the revised rule and businesses must verify the status of their lithium batteries, many of which were previously exempt, prior to shipping. Mishandling these new regulations can result in your company's lithium battery shipments being delayed, returned, or even subject to fines.
Which Lithium Batteries Have New Shipping Restrictions?
Exceptions for small and medium lithium battery types are sizably less, and most lithium batteries will become regulated class 9 hazardous materials when offered for ground transportation. This new requirement means that many types of small lithium batteries that were exempt from the regulations will now require the use of UN performance packaging, hazard class labeling and expanded documentation requirements. This has a big impact on small consumer electronics with lithium batteries such as laptop computers, power tools, and medical devices.
Shipping Lithium Batteries - Weighing in on a Global Scale
The entire load of lithium battery types and the equipment they power will fall under the requirements of these new rules whether they are shipped into, out of, or through the United States. When either importing or exporting lithium batteries, no shipment can leave the dock without the articles being packaged, marked, and labeled in accordance with these new U.S. regulations. Further, all shipments performed by U.S. flagged air carriers, no matter the origin or destination of the flight, will be required to comply with the battery packaging requirements.
New Lithium Battery Types Defined
The PHMSA has taken two roads on shipping descriptions for lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries like those found in the UN Model Regulations, the ICAO Technical Instructions, and IMO Dangerous Goods Code. Most of the changes have been made to the packaging and hazard communication requirements for shipping lithium battery types.
If It Holds a Charge, Labelmaster Can Handle the Compliance.
Labelmaster can steer you in the right direction with the products and services you need to meet these new regulations for shipping lithium, lithium metal and lithium ion batteries. From battery packaging, labeling and documentation to training and shipping, simply contact a Labelmaster regulatory expert for assistance.
Dangerous Goods Report
Understanding the Final Rule on Lithium Batteries
Highlights of PHMSA's HM-224F
On August 6, 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published HM-224F in the Federal Register. Several years in the making, the ruling represents a significant change in how lithium batteries will be regulated when shipped by land, sea, and air in the U.S. Mandatory compliance of this landmark regulation began February 6, 2015.
Lithium Battery Products
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Battery Packaging Finder
To meet today's increasingly mobile lifestyle, batteries are becoming more powerful. Some batteries may pose a significant risk in transportation, so requirements have been put in place to manage these risks. Labelmaster's Battery Packaging Finder is designed to help you choose appropriate packaging for your battery shipments.
What Makes Lithium Batteries Special
What is it about lithium batteries that makes them so effective at powering the world around us? What is it about them that classifies them as Dangerous Goods? This animated infographic takes a quick look at the remarkable technology behind these high-energy power sources and offers tips for ensuring safe and compliant shipping.
Shipping Lithium Batteries Infographic
When shipping lithium batteries, which are classified as dangerous goods, maintaining compliance can be tricky. This shipping lithium battery infographic provides an overview of the regulations governing the movement of these increasingly common energy cells.
Click the Shipping Lithium Battery Infographic to enlarge.
Download the single page printable version of the Shipping Lithium Battery Infographic.
What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic
With all the attention lithium batteries have received in the news lately, and the revised regulations for shipping them as dangerous goods, you might wonder, "What makes these batteries so different that they warrant special treatment?" Hopefully this What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic helps answer this question.
Click the What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic to enlarge.
Download the single page printable version of the What Makes Lithium Batteries Special Infographic.
January 2017
Lithium Batteries in the News: Lithium batteries continue their long reach into the affairs of the regulatory agencies, this time at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency announced several actions concerning issues related to batteries used in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).
We are keeping the pulse of the ever changing lithium battery regulations and want to ensure your supply chains keep moving.
We are working on new webinars... stay tuned.
Labelmaster Lithium Battery Blog Articles
- February 16, 2017:Don’t sing the Dangerous Goods Symposium blues—sign up now!
- January 9, 2017:DG Digest: FDA Actions on Lithium Batteries, EPA on Subsurface Intrusion, and Brazil to Adopt UMR
- December 13, 2016:A Letter from Bangkok on the 109th Meeting of the IATA Dangerous Goods Board
- October 25, 2016:Infographic | New IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for 2017
- September 13, 2016:Lithium battery discussion heats up Dangerous Goods Symposium Day 3
- September 7, 2016:Shipping damaged lithium batteries? Say hello to Special Permit Packaging!
- August 18, 2016:Lithium battery enforcement: A level playing field will boost safety immediately
- August 5, 2016:Shouldn’t you have a Lithium Battery Advisor for everyday life?
- April 26, 2016:How can you keep customer returns of Dangerous Goods compliant?
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