Lithium and Lithium Ion Battery Industries' Voluntary

Air Transportation Communications Program

Background

This Lithium and Lithium Ion Battery Industries' Voluntary Air Transportation Communications Program is being implemented by companies involved in the manufacturing and distribution of these products.The program is intended to ensure the safe transport of lithium primary and lithium ion rechargeable cells and batteries. It will be phased-in during 2001. Participants in this program manufacture the vast majority of the lithium primary and lithium ion rechargeable cells and batteries used in the world today.

The Physiochemical Characteristics of Lithium Primary Cells and Batteries

The components in a lithium primary battery are positive and negative electrodes and electrolyte. The negative electrode is lithium metal. Electrolytes vary. If lithium primary cells or batteries are exposed to very high temperatures (in excess of 90° C/194° F) or flame, the electrolyte can be released. Some electrolytes can burn; others are released as toxic/corrosive gases. Other components (such as lithium metal) also could burn.

The Physiochemical Characteristics of Lithium Ion Rechargeable Cells and Batteries

Lithium ion rechargeable cells and batteries do not contain lithium metal. They utilize an ionic form of lithium that moves between the positive and negative electrodes depending on the state of charge. The components in a lithium ion rechargeable cell and battery are positive and negative electrodes and electrolyte. If lithium ion cells or batteries are exposed to very high temperatures (in excess of 90° C/194° F) or flame, the electrolyte can be released. Electrolytes or other cell components could burn.

The Importance of Safe Handling Procedures

The lithium primary and lithium ion rechargeable battery industries have conducted comprehensive tests to ensure the cells and batteries they manufacture and distribute around the world are safe in transport. Nonetheless, it is important to understand that packages containing lithium primary or lithium ion rechargeable cells and batteries are packages of stored energy (cells in batteries convert chemical energy directly into electric energy). Thus, these packages should be handled with care and quarantined if visibly damaged.

Summary of Program

Applicability

This program involves lithium primary and lithium ion rechargeable cells and batteries exempt from existing regulations under 49 C.F.R. § 173.185; Special Provision A45 of the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air; and/or Special Provision 188 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations. It does not apply to cells and batteries contained in or packed with equipment.

Marking of Lithium Primary Cell and Battery Shipments

Each air shipment of more than 24 new lithium primary cells or more than 12 new lithium primary batteries will carry a new marking. It will state, in both English and the language of the shipment’s origin:

Marking of Lithium Ion Rechargeable Cell and Battery Shipments

Each air shipment that contains more than 40 new lithium ion rechargeable cells or more than 20 new lithium ion multi-cell battery packs will carry a new marking. It will state, in both English and the language of the shipment’s origin:

Shipping Papers

Documents (i.e., air waybills, invoices) accompanying air shipments will include either a new shipper’s declaration, or a label attached to existing documents that identifies the presence of these cells and batteries.

Packaging

When the program is fully implemented, marked packages will not exceed 30 kg (gross weight) and will meet or exceed a 4G fiberboard box, Packing Group II performance standard, or equivalent. It may take several months, however, for existing inventory to be exhausted and changes to be implemented. During this transition period, labels may appear on some packages that do not meet this standard.

Quarantine

Packages that are crushed, punctured or torn open to reveal contents should not be transported. Such packages should be isolated until the shipper has been consulted, provided instructions and, if appropriate, arranged to have the product inspected and repacked.

Spilled Product

In the event that damage to packaging results in the release of cells or batteries, the spilled products should be promptly collected and segregated and the shipper should be contacted for instructions.