The State of Washington is the latest jurisdiction to pass portable all-battery EPR legislation that will mandate the collection and recycling primary and rechargeable batteries starting in 2027. California passed similar legislation in 2022 and Washington, DC passed legislation in 2020. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee is expected to sign into law SB 5144…
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has filed a proposal with the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel that would require vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries and shipped by air to have the battery “discharged as far as practicable, and where charge remains, the indicated range or indicated battery capacity must not…
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A recently issued amendment to the 2023 IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (2023-2024 Edition) authorizes the carriage of lithium battery-powered active baggage trackers in passengers’ checked baggage. The amendment places the following size limits on the lithium batteries: For lithium metal batteries, a…
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NBC News aired a report on lithium ion batteries on February 7, 2023 that identified the fire risks associated with certain lithium ion battery designs and applications and the challenges facing emergency responders in these situations. The report is available here. PRBA and its members are actively working on numerous lithium ion battery safety…
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On December 20, 2022, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a letter to “Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Retailers of Micromobility Devices for Consumer Use” on the need to ensure the devices are tested to certain safety standards. The letter was signed by Robert Kaye, Director, Office of Compliance and Field Operations,…
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President Biden recently announced new policies to pave the way for effective implementation of the historic energy and infrastructure provisions in Public Law 117-169, commonly referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “Act”). This new law will accelerate United States global leadership in clean energy innovation, manufacturing, and deployment. The Environmental Protection Agency…
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On Friday September 16, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 2440 and Senate Bill 1215. The former deals with batteries and products with removable batteries (whether sold installed or just in the same packaging); the latter deals with products with embedded (nonremovable) batteries. The fundamental difference between the two…
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The White House released today a Fact Sheet on the “Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Boom” occurring in the United States that lists 6 PRBA-member companies who recently announced major investments in electric vehicle or battery manufacturing, processing, or recycling facilities in the United States. A copy of the Fact Sheet is available here.
On August 31, the California General Assembly passed Assembly Bill 2440, the California Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022. On August 30, the California Senate passed Senate Bill 1215, amending the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003. These were the final legislative actions required before sending the bills to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval. If…
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As part of PRBA’s continuing work on developing a new TRANSCAER program on lithium ion batteries, PRBA will host a workshop on Lithium ion Battery Emergency Response and Safety during CHEMTREC’s International Hazmat Summit. The Summit will be held in New Orleans September 12 – 14, 2022 with the workshop scheduled for…
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