For immediate release                                                                                                 Contact: W. John Moore March 22, 2007                                                                                              202.408.7443 or 703.624.2308 

The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association Supports Transportation Department’s Advisory on Battery Safety

The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s safety advisory on the use and packaging of batteries and battery-powered consumer products, such as laptop computers, cell phones, iPods, Blackberries and DVD players, carried aboard an aircraft.

“The Transportation Department’s advisory emphasizes the appropriate safeguards that passengers should take to minimize the risk of a battery-related incident aboard an aircraft,” PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner said. “Existing federal regulations already require that batteries and battery-powered products carried aboard an aircraft be properly packaged and protected. Today’s DOT advisory explains the steps consumers should take to comply with those regulations.”

Kerchner also urged air travelers to visit DOT’s new website at http://safetravel.dot.gov for information and tips about traveling with batteries and battery-powered consumer products.

The DOT website states that it is safe to fly with laptops, cell phones, cameras, and other battery-powered devices. Batteries should remain in these devices and the products carried on board, not checked as luggage. If a passenger does check consumer electronic products, these devices should be packaged properly to prevent accidental activation, according to the website.

According to the DOT, if passengers are traveling with spare batteries, they should:

• Keep spare batteries in the original packaging. If the original packaging is unavailable, insulate the battery terminals by isolating all batteries from any contact with other batteries or metal. Place each battery in a separate package and do not allow a loose battery to come into contact metal objects such as coins, keys or jewelry.
• Place tape across a loose battery’s contacts to isolate terminals, which will prevent short-circuiting. 
• Use only chargers designed for your type of batteries and if you are uncertain about compatibility, contact the product manufacturer.
• Purchase batteries only from a reliable source and do not carry recalled or damaged batteries aboard the plane.
• Avoid crushing, puncturing, and overheating batteries and don’t bump or drop your battery-powered devices.  

 “PRBA supports the DOT recommendations and is heartened by its conclusions that if passengers take the proper precautions, it is safe to fly with both batteries and battery—powered products,” Kerchner said.  “PRBA’s analysis of government research data indicates that many of the extremely rare battery-related incidents could have been avoided if passengers had followed the appropriate safety precautions,” he added. “PRBA hopes the publication of the DOT advisory and the widest possible communication about its recommendations will reduce the number of incidents on aircraft and enhance the safety of airline passengers.”

The members of PRBA power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient, and essential power source for notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, MP3 players and other cordless devices. PRBA members produce more than half of the world’s lithium-ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation’s authoritative source for information on portable rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org .

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             CONTACT: W. John Moore February 1, 2007                                                                                                                        202-408-7443

Portable Rechargeable Battery Association Announces

May 2007 Industry Forum on Standards-Setting

Announcement Follows Successful Meeting on Lithium-ion Battery Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C.   The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) plans to host a May 2007 forum in Washington, D.C., to discuss ongoing revisions to lithium-ion battery standards. The purpose of the forum is to address lithium-ion battery standards initiatives being considered by UL, IEC, ANSI, IPC, and IEEE and to foster coordination with other industry participants.

The meeting will build on the progress made on a number of issues at a January 17^th PRBA standards forum in Washington, D.C., attended by PRBA members, representatives from standards-setting organizations, the Battery Association of Japan and other groups.

“The frank exchange of information and ideas on standard setting and other issues of importance to the lithium-ion battery industry proved so valuable that the participants concluded it would be valuable to hold another meeting to build on January’s success,” said PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner.  

At the January meeting, IEEE committee members updated the attendees about ongoing efforts to revise IEEE 1625 – Standard for Rechargeable Batteries for Portable Computing, which was originally approved in 2004. A UL representative explained the current revisions to its  lithium battery standard – UL 1642. Other representatives provided updates on IEC and ANSI standard-setting activities and the IPC’s work.

The current testing requirements for lithium-ion cells and batteries under the international dangerous goods regulations were also reviewed and discussed in anticipation of possible changes in these rules. In addition, attendees from the Battery Association of Japan provided an update on standards activities in Japan.

Representatives from battery industry and the standards organizations also exchanged ideas on ways to achieve harmonization of the various standards and the importance of developing standards that factor in the design, testing, and manufacturing of the cell-battery pack and host system.

The members of PRBA power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient, and essential power source for notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, MP3 players and other cordless devices. PRBA members produce more than half of the world’s lithium-ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation’s authoritative source for information on portable rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             CONTACT: W. John Moore December 15, 2006                                                                                                                    202-408-7443

UNITED NATIONS PANEL ADOPTS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO BATTERY TRANSPORT REGULATIONS SUPPORTED BY PRBA  

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND—The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) supported amendments by the international pilots association and U.S. regulators to improve regulations for shipping lithium batteries and battery-powered products that were adopted this week by the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods after a series of meetings in Geneva.

“PRBA and its members supported efforts by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (IFALPA) to improve international dangerous goods regulations governing the transportation of lithium metal and lithium-ion cells and batteries and the consumer products powered by them,” said PRBA Executive George Kerchner, who attended the UN meetings. “These amendments to the international dangerous goods regulations address the immediate concerns of both U.S. and international transportation agencies and organizations,” Mr. Kerchner added. 

The Sub-Committee’s actions will affect how battery manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers package and ship lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries. The most significant change to existing international regulations establishes a separate UN identification number for lithium-ion batteries. The proposal to establish this separate UN number was introduced by IFALPA and overwhelmingly approved by the UN panel. The IFALPA proposal was identical to a measure that PRBA introduced at the July 2006 meeting of the Sub-Committee. The panel also approved the U.S. DOT’s proposal for additional marking and documentation requirements for packages containing these batteries, making it easier to distinguish between lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries and to identify these materials in transportation.

“PRBA, the U.S. DOT, and IFALPA worked together before and during the UN Sub-Committee meeting to help ensure the passage of these proposed amendments,” Mr. Kerchner noted.

The UN Sub-committee’s recommendations will be considered by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel, which has scheduled a May 2007 meeting in Memphis, Tenn.  If, as expected, ICAO approves the UN measures, the changes would take effect on Jan. 1, 2009 for lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries transported internationally by aircraft and on Jan.1, 2010 for international shipments on cargo vessels. ICAO also is expected to address several other battery-related proposals at its meeting in Memphis.

The Transport of Dangerous Goods Sub-committee includes participants with voting status from 27 countries. Other countries and non-governmental organizations such as PRBA have Observer status. The Sub-Committee provides leadership in harmonizing regulations on the transportation of dangerous goods by establishing an international regulatory framework.

In 2004, PRBA was granted official Observer status with the UN Sub-Committee in recognition of the association’s expertise on battery technology and its experience in the transportation field.

The members of PRBA power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient and essential power source for notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, MP3 players and other cordless devices. PRBA members produce more than half the world’s lithium-ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation’s authoritative source for information on portable rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            CONTACT: W. John Moore December 5, 2006                                                                                                                      202-408-7443

PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner In Geneva, Switzerland for United Nations Transport Conference  

UN Panel To Address Shipments of Lithium Batteries and Battery-Powered Products

Washington, DC— Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) Executive Director George Kerchner is attending the Dec. 4 – 12, 2006 meeting of the United Nations Sub-Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in Geneva, Switzerland. The UN panel will address U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (IFALPA) transportation proposals generally supported by PRBA. If approved by the Sub-committee, the proposals could significantly alter the international and U.S. transportation regulations that govern both lithium-ion and lithium metal cells and batteries as well as the consumer electronic products powered by these batteries. The DOT and IFALPA recommendations affect how manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers package and ship these batteries and products.

In 2004, PRBA was granted official Observer status with the UN Sub-Committee in recognition of the association’s technical expertise on battery technology and its experience in the transportation field. “PRBA recognizes that the work of the UN Sub-Committee has become increasingly important to both the international and domestic transportation of lithium-ion batteries and other hazardous materials,” Kerchner said. “The Sub-committee plays a crucial role in the ongoing development of an international regulatory framework in this important area,” Kerchner said, noting that the UN panel’s impact on the U.S. volume of trade in hazardous materials is estimated at more than $160 billion annually.

The Transport of Dangerous Goods Sub-committee includes participants with voting status from 27 countries. Other countries, non-governmental organizations such as PRBA have Observer status. The Sub-committee provides leadership in harmonizing regulations on the transportation of hazardous materials by establishing an international regulatory framework.

The members of PRBA power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient and essential power source for notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, MP3 players and other cordless devices. PRBA members produce more than half the world’s lithium-ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation’s authoritative source for information on portable rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE                                                                             RELEASE CONTACT: W. John Moore
October 16, 2006                                                                                                                       202-408-7443

Charles P. Monahan of Panasonic Re-Elected Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA)

New Executive Director George Kerchner Greets PRBA Members

at Trade Group’s Annual Meeting in Dallas

Washington, D.C.—The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association’s Board of Directors re-elected Charles P. Monahan as Chair of the Board at PRBA’s annual meeting held October 12 in Dallas. Mr. Monahan is Director of Regulatory Compliance at the Panasonic Battery Corporation of America.  PRBA’s board of directors is comprised of executives from Black &Decker, Radio Shack, Motorola, Sanyo, Varta  Micro Powers, Sony, EnerSys as well as Panasonic. Mr. Monahan’s re-election was announced at an annual meeting held in conjunction with PRBA’s Battery Safety and Recycling Conference.

The conference was the first major PRBA event held since George Kerchner was named the trade group’s Executive Director earlier in the fall, when PRBA also moved its headquarters to Washington, D.C. from Atlanta. Mr. Kerchner, a regulatory analyst at the Washington law firm of Wiley Rein & Fielding, has represented PRBA for years. He graduated from the University of Maryland-College Park and has a master’s degree in environmental science and policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Other highlights of the conference included:

·    Presentations on federal regulatory initiatives by senior officials from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and Federal Aviation Administration.

·    Summaries by industry experts of recent domestic and international developments that affect the portable rechargeable battery and electronics industries.

·    A lunchtime speech by Norm England, President/CEO of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp., explaining how the RBRC helps companies comply with new state and local battery recycling laws.

The members of the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient, and essential power source for notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, MP3 pla yers and other cordless devices. PRBA members produce more than half of the world’s lithium-ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 50 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation’s authoritative source for information on portable rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             CONTACT: W. John Moore
September 18, 2006                                                                                                                   202-408-7443

Portable Rechargeable Battery Association Says Airlines Can Minimize
Passenger Risk By Addressing Onboard Charging of Notebook Computers

The greatest risk posed by the use of notebook computers on aircraft most likely relates to on-board charging systems, according to the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA).  Even the minimal risk associated with the use of batteries in flight - including those recalled but not yet replaced - can be reduced by using electronic devices with the battery or plugged in with the battery removed.  This recommendation will avoid the possibility of a battery short-circuiting during charging or caused by overcharging.

PRBA first advised aviation officials about potential problems involving onboard charging of notebook computers almost a decade ago.  In a 1997 letter to the major airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration, PRBA emphasized the need for the proper design and operation of these onboard charging systems. These systems must guarantee stable voltage and contain instantaneous cut-off mechanisms in the event of either a short circuit or overcharge.  Ordinarily, such cut-offs are redundant, but these safety precautions may prove important, for example, if consumers have installed non-OEM batteries in their computers.

Nonetheless, the risk of fire from the use of notebook computers by aircraft passengers is minuscule. Even if an incident occurs onboard an aircraft, authoritative testing by the UK Civil Aviation Authority has conclusively demonstrated that standard fire extinguishers onboard every passenger aircraft can control the problem.

Carriers can take several additional steps to address passenger concerns.  Carriers should remind passengers:

·        If their notebook computer has been dropped or otherwise damaged, it should be tested prior to use on the aircraft.

·        If a consumer uses a battery not provided or recommended by the manufacturer, the remote risk of a problem increases.

·        If a product overheats, the passenger should immediately disconnect the product from charging, then turn it off. 

·        If the consumer has any concerns about the safety of their notebook computer, they should avoid onboard charging.

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