On February 10, 2012, the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel approved significant changes to the Packing Instructions in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air applicable to small, excepted lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries shipped by air. In addition, a new weight limit requirement applicable to excepted lithium ion and lithium metal batteries packed with or contained in equipment was adopted. All of these changes go into effect on January 1, 2013. [more]

PRBA-The Rechargeable Battery Association today said a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) study on the potential risks posed by the air transport of lithium batteries was based on flawed assumptions, unsound methodology and faulty data. [more]

PRBA-The Rechargeable Battery Association today praised efforts last week by the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to bolster the lithium ion battery transport safety regulations. [more]

On October 19, 2011, the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel rejected the U.S. Department of Transportation's proposal to change the quantity limits on excepted lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries in Section II of Packing Instructions 965 and 968 of the ICAO Technical Instructions. The DOT proposal was rejected by a vote of 10-6.

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The Fire Protection Research Foundation hosted a workshop on lithium
ion battery storage protection strategies in Baltimore, Maryland on August 30^th. In
preparation for that meeting, the Foundation released a 112-page study of the hazards
associated with lithium ion battery storage, with an aim of developing fire protection
strategies to mitigate loss associated with fire incidence with lithium ion batteries in bulk
storage and distribution, alone and in manufactured products.

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Washington — A broad-based coalition of trade associations representing manufacturers of batteries, consumer electronics and medical devices as well as air freight companies, airlines and retailers have urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to act against shippers of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries that fail to comply with applicable air transportation safety regulations. A copy of the coalition letter can be downloaded here. [more]

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) met in Montreal, Canada on October 5 -16, 2009 to complete their work on amending the ICAO Technical Instructions on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Approximately 110 papers were filed with DGP, including 24 papers related to lithium batteries. Four PRBA proposals were adopted by the DGP. PRBA also was successful in securing reasonable changes to the lithium battery Packing Instructions. The changes adopted during this meeting will go into effect on January 1, 2011. [more]

United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods has endorsed a major PRBA initiative by modifying the international testing requirements for rechargeable lithium cells and batteries [more]

The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association today announced its support for new Department of Transportation rules that prohibit airline passengers from packing spare lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries and lithium ion rechargeable batteries in checked baggage but allow travelers to bring spare batteries in carry-on luggage

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