PHMSA Adopts Changes to Rules on Shipping Lithium Ion Batteries
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is amending its regulations on transportation of lithium cells and batteries in order to conform them to international codes. PHMSA’s final rule brings U.S. requirements in line with standards set by the United Nations, International Civil Aviation Organization, and International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, said the agency. Voluntary compliance with the new regulations may begin immediately upon publication Aug. 6. Compliance will be required by Feb. 6, 2015.
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PHMSA says the main changes in its final rule are as follows:
- Replaces equivalent lithium content with Watt-hours for lithium ion cells and batteries;
- Adopts separate shipping descriptions for lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries
- Revises provisions for the transport of small and medium lithium cells and batteries including cells and batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment
- Revises the requirements for the transport of lithium batteries for disposal or recycling
- Harmonizes the provisions for the transport of low production and prototype lithium cells and batteries with the ICAO Technical Instructions and the IMDG Code
- Adopts new provisions for the transport of damaged, defective, and recalled lithium batteries
PHMSA’ final rule does not adopt a proposal to eliminate regulatory exceptions for the air transport of small cells and batteries. Instead, the agency says it is adopting provisions in international agreements that permit the transport of up to 8 lithium cells or 2 small lithium batteries, including small lithium batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment. PHMSA says it will also continue exceptions from shipping paper, marking, labeling, emergency response information, and training requirements for the transport of small and medium-sized batteries by highway and rail only. Packages containing lithium cells and batteries that meet the conditions of this exception must be marked “LITHIUM BATTERIES -- FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD AIRCRAFT AND VESSEL,” said PHMSA.
(Federal Register 08/06/14)