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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.
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.”
PRBA, Trade Groups Urge DOT to Delay Immediate Enforcement of New Package Labeling Rules for Lithium Batteries Shipped by Highway and Rail
PRBA – The Rechargeable Battery Association with seven other trade associations have asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to delay enforcement of new mandates to place additional labels on packages of lithium ion cells and batteries shipped by highway or rail.
In a letter to a DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration official, the eight trade associations reiterated their support for the Agency’s efforts to harmonize the U.S. lithium battery air transport regulations with more stringent international standards. However, the associations noted the necessity for a new compliance deadline of no earlier than July 6, 2019 for highway and rail transport “to allow time for implementation of the new package label requirement without unduly disrupting transportation and commerce.”
U.S. Department of Transportation New Lithium Battery Interim Final Rule Has Immediate Impact on All Modes of Transport
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published on March 6, 2019 its long-awaited lithium battery Interim Final Rule (IFR) that is intended to generally harmonize the U.S. lithium ion and lithium metal battery hazardous materials regulations (HMR) with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The new requirements in the IFR took effect on March 6th.
OSHA Issues New Safety Bulletin on “Preventing Fire and/or Explosion Injury from Small and Wearable Lithium Battery Powered Devices”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a Safety and Health Information Bulletin entitled, “Preventing Fire and/or Explosion Injury from Small and Wearable Lithium Battery Powered Devices.” The Bulletin includes a number of lithium battery safety guidelines that the Agency suggests employers could use as part of their safety and health program.
PRBA Files Comments on U.S. Department of Transportation Harmonization Rulemaking
PRBA filed on January 28th extensive comments on the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) HM-215O harmonization rulemaking. PRBA conveyed their support for PHMSA’s efforts to harmonize the U.S. hazardous materials regulations with the international dangerous goods regulations, but also identified two issues of concern.