Extra Label Required for Shipping Lithium-Ion Batteries
The long-awaited DOT PHMSA Interim Final Rule (IFR) enhancing the safety provisions for lithium batteries transported by aircraft appeared in the Federal Register this week on March 6th. This IFR generally harmonizes the 49 CFR with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (regulations effective in the ICAO TI since April 1, 2016). Our lithium batterry shipping blog post summarizes the major changes applicable to the air transport of lithium cells and batteries in the US, effective immediately.
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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.
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 ]
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
Can Packaging Innovation Make Battery Shipping Simple Again?
To keep shipments and people safe, regulations on shipping lithium batteries and devices have grown more complex and more burdensome. Bans from commercial aircraft. New labels and classifications. New restrictions on consignments and state-of-charge.
How can lithium battery transport be made safer and simpler?
Lithium Battery Products
Lithium Battery Services
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.
March 2019
Extra Label Required for Shipping Lithium-Ion Batteries: The long-awaited DOT PHMSA Interim Final Rule (IFR) enhancing the safety provisions for lithium batteries transported by aircraft appeared in the Federal Register this week on March 6th. This IFR generally harmonizes the 49 CFR with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (regulations effective in the ICAO TI since April 1, 2016). Our lithium batterry shipping blog post summarizes the major changes applicable to the air transport of lithium cells and batteries in the US, effective immediately.
October 2018
As 2019 quickly approaches, lithium battery shippers need to be aware of the mandatory label changes that become effective on January 1st. For almost 2 years shippers of small (excepted) batteries and battery-powered devices have had the option to use either the lithium battery handling "Caution" label or the lithium battery mark while operating under the transition period that has been allowed within the International and Domestic regulations. On January 1st the lithium battery mark becomes mandatory and the handling label becomes obsolete.
Labelmaster Lithium Battery Blog Articles
- March 8, 2019: DOT PHMSA Lithium Battery Interim Final Rule (IFR) Effective Immediately
- October 12, 2018: Getting You Ready — New Lithium Battery Marks and Labels are Mandatory on January 1st
- September 13, 2018: Lithium Battery Friday—a.k.a. 2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium, Day 3
- September 10, 2018: DG Digest: FMCSA to hold listening session on HOS, PHMSA announces new special permits
- August 9, 2018: 2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium speaker Peter Mackay: Survey data is ammunition.
- July 12, 2018: 2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium speaker Dave Brennan on IATA and innovation
- May 11, 2018: PHMSA publishes proposed upcoming regulatory agenda
- April 23, 2018: DG Digest: OSHA Issues ICRs on Bloodborne Pathogens, Mechanical Presses, and Explosives
- April 12, 2018: IATA Publishes 2018 Guidelines for Passengers Traveling with Lithium Batteries
- February 22, 2018: 10 things your C-suite might not know about Dangerous Goods
- February 15, 2018: Hazmat experts agree—it’s time to sign up for the Dangerous Goods Symposium!
- February 8, 2018: 7 new lithium battery technologies; 0 new regulations
- January 25, 2018: Confessions of a 3PL hazmat manager: “Lithium batteries are my life.”
- January 18, 2018: Dangerous Goods transport technology: Wouldn’t it be cool if …
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