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Serving as the Voice of the Rechargeable Power Industry, Representing its Members on Legislative, Regulatory and Standards issues at the State, Federal and International Level.
PRBA - The Leader in the Rechargeable Battery Industry
Over the past twenty-seven years PRBA has developed cooperative working relationships with transportation and environmental organizations ranging from local and national groups throughout North America to national and international industry related trade associations and government agencies in Europe and Asia.
In 2004, PRBA was granted official observer status by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonised System of Chemical Classification and Labeling. These relationships will assist PRBA member companies in dealing with “globalization” issues such as the transportation of, collection, and labeling of rechargeable batteries as they manufacture and sell globally.
PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner Appointed to Key Federal and State Advisory Groups for Lithium Battery Industry
PRBA Executive Director has been named to serve in two key roles advising federal and state agencies on legislative and regulatory matters impacting the safe transport of lithium ion batteries and the recycling of automotive lithium ion batteries.
PRBA Files Proposals with United Nations Transport Subcommittee to Amend Lithium Battery Transport and Testing Regulations
PRBA along with its European counterpart (RECHARGE) have filed several proposals with the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to amend the lithium battery packaging and testing requirements in the UN’s Model Regulations and Manual of Tests and Criteria. The proposals will be addressed at the Subcommittee’s meeting scheduled for December 2- 6, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
PRBA Highlights Battery Safety At FTC ‘Right to Repair’ Workshop
Executive Director George Kerchner focused on battery safety concerns at a Federal Trade Commission workshop held today on right to repair policy. Rechargeable lithium ion batteries have become the preferred power source for a vast array of consumer battery-powered products such as cellular phones, tablets, medical devices, power tools and hybrid and electric vehicles, Kerchner said […]
DOT and EPA Announce Workshops on the Safe Handling of Lithium Batteries for Disposal and Recycling
During last month’s membership meeting, Kevin Leary with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) joined us to speak to membership about his agency’s recent collaborative efforts with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the disposal and recycling of lithium batteries. The two agencies are hosting four one-day workshops over the next several months. These workshops will be led by subject matter experts from the Hazardous Materials Safety Assistance Team under the DOT and hosted by EPA.
California Legislature Introduces Lithium ion Battery Product Stewardship Bill
Two members of the California State Assembly have introduced AB 1509 that, if enacted, would require establishment of a used lithium ion battery stewardship program by manufacturers and retailers.
The bill is intended to address the fire safety problems purportedly facing municipal recycling programs from the collection of used batteries. The bill is titled the “LITHIUM-ION BATTERY FIRE PREVENTION ACT,” and its Section 1 references some of these fires and the risks purportedly posed by lithium ion batteries. One of the bill’s sponsors also prepared an explanatory document.
IATA Highlights Challenges with Non-Compliant Lithium Battery Shippers, Lack of Government Enforcement
Lithium batteries pose risks for air cargo safety because of “rogue shippers” and a failure to enforce regulations, the head of the trade body for the world’s airlines has warned.
Alexandre de Juniac (right), director-general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said the batteries “can be shipped safely if properly labelled and packaged”.
But de Juniac said: “With respect to the safety of air cargo, transport of lithium batteries is the most topical issue.”