Category: Press Releases

U.S. DOT Issues Safety Advisory on Transport of Waste Lithium Batteries

The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued this week a Safety Advisory Notice for the Disposal and Recycling of Lithium Batteries in Commercial Transportation due to the large number of recent incidents involving shipments of these batteries – many of which were undeclared or the shippers failed to fully comply with the U.S. hazardous…
Read More

New York City Adopts Comprehensive Amendments to Fire Code Impacting the Management, Storage, and Charging of Battery Powered Industrial Trucks, Equipment, and Mobility Devices

New York City has become the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to adopt new fire code requirements applicable to the storage, handling, and charging of micromobility devices that are generally aligned with the new requirements that will appear in the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC). New York City also expanded these requirements beyond what is…
Read More

California Legislature to Consider Collection and Recycling Mandates for Portable Batteries and Electronic Devices

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) battery bill (AB 2440) has been introduced in the California Assembly and focuses on the collection and recycling of portable batteries and electronic devices with embedded batteries. The short, three-page bill – Battery and Battery-Embedded Product Recycling and Fire Risk Reduction Act of 2022 – is a placeholder for what is…
Read More

U.S. Department of Transportation Agrees PRBA’s Petition for Rulemaking on Lithium Batteries and Materials of Trade has Merit

The U.S. Department of Transportation has agreed that PRBA’s petition for rulemaking on lithium batteries and the Materials of Trade provisions in the U.S. hazardous materials regulations (HMR) merits consideration in a future rulemaking. This means the Agency will consider authorizing larger quantities of lithium batteries to be transported under the Materials of Trade provisions,…
Read More

PHMSA Issues Updated UN38.3 Test Summary Guidance Document

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued its updated guidance document on the UN38.3 Lithium Battery Test Summary (TS) requirements to assist manufacturers and distributors of lithium batteries and products powered by them with understanding and implementing the TS requirement.  PHMSA adopted this requirement as part of its HM-215O…
Read More

Washington State Introduces All-Battery Collection/Recycling Legislation

Washington state Representatives Harris-Talley and Berry introduced a comprehensive, all-battery bill HB 1896 that would mandate the collection of rechargeable and primary batteries beginning July 1, 2025. The 30-page bill – applicable to “portable,” “medium format,” and “large format” batteries – includes recycling efficiency rates, retailer obligations, and battery labeling requirements. For more information, contact…
Read More

Pilots’ Association Files Proposals to Limit State of Charge on Lithium ion Batteries Contained in Equipment and Vehicles When Shipped by Air

In anticipation of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel Meeting scheduled for mid-November, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Association (IFALPA) has filed five proposals that would establish new state of charge limits  on lithium ion batteries contained in equipment and vehicles when shipped by air.  Generally, the proposed limitations would require lithium…
Read More

PRBA Backs California Senate Bill Aiming To Reduce Improper Disposal of Lithium Ion Batteries

The Rechargeable Battery Association welcomes California Senate passage of legislation addressing the improper disposal of consumer-type lithium ion batteries. “Collectively, the provisions in this bill will help mitigate safety risks by significantly reducing the number of lithium ion batteries improperly disposed of in trash bins and recycling containers,” said PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner. “We…
Read More