UN Panel Adopts PRBA Proposal

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

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

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The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association Supports DOT Prohibition on Spare Lithium Batteries in Checked Baggage

Monday, December 31, 2007

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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UN Subcommittee Agrees to More Stringent Regulations on Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries Shipped by Sea; Addresses Need for More Clarification on "Energy Storage Systems"

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

On June 24, 2009, the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods voted 10-2 in favor of proposal to require nickel metal hydride batteries shipped by sea to be offered as fully-regulated Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods. The proposal was filed with the UN Subcommittee by the vessel operators association (VOHMA), International Maritime Organization, Germany, France, and Belgium. PRBA will be working with VOHMA and Germany to develop the provisions for incorporation into the IMDG Code that limit the scope of the regulations to large consignments of cells and batteries.

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Korea Agrees to Delay Implementation of Lithium ion Standard, Changes Position on Testing Labs

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

There has been substantial progress on the issue of Korea's lithium ion battery standard. PRBA has been working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and U.S. Department of Commerce in an effort secure a delay in the effective date of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) lithium ion battery standard that was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2009. PRBA also requested that labs outside of Korea be authorized to test to this standard. (The standard currently designates four Korean labs for testing.)

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PRBA Petition to Amend U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule Adopted

Monday, August 10, 2009

PRBA’s petition to change the reporting requirements in the U.S. harmonized tariff schedule for imported lithium ion and nickel metal hydride batteries into the U.S. has been adopted. The changes are effective for all imports made on or after July 1, 2009. The newly revised tariff schedule now includes two new provisions. New provision 8507.80.80.10 covers lithium ion batteries, while new provision 8507.80.80.20 covers nickel metal hydride batteries.

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ICAO Agrees to Adopt PRBA Lithium Battery Proposals, Rejects Pilots Association Proposals

Monday, November 30, 2009

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.

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Industry Coalition Urges Crackdown On Lithium Battery Shippers Who Fail to Comply with Air Safety Regulations

Monday, June 20, 2011

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.

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National Fire Protection Association Holds Workshop on Lithium ion Battery Hazards

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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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ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel Rejects DOT Proposal on Lithium Batteries; Delays Final Decision to January

Monday, October 24, 2011

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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PRBA Endorses U.N. Efforts to Improve Lithium Ion Battery Transport Safety Regulations

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

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.

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PRBA Assails Fundamental Flaws in FAA Safety Study On Air Shipments of Lithium Batteries

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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.

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ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel Adopts New Lithium Battery Air Transport Regulations

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

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.

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