PRBA – The Rechargeable Battery Association today thanked the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for releasing a final rule on the transport of lithium batteries, the culmination of a four and a half year effort to enhance safety by harmonizing U.S. hazardous materials transport regulations with the more stringent international dangerous goods standards, which took effect on January 1, 2013.
“Safety remains PRBA’s No. 1 priority. As a result, PRBA has long endorsed harmonization of U.S. transport rules with the stricter regulations adopted by ICAO and the U.N. Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods as a giant step forward in bolstering the safe transport of lithium batteries,” said George Kerchner, PRBA’s executive director. “Dual standards create a fog of confusion that undermines compliance and enforcement efforts. And reduced compliance jeopardizes safety,” Kerchner said.
“We look forward to working with PHMSA in the future if the agency considers additional measures affecting the transport of lithium batteries,” Kerchner added.
The PHMSA regulations were posted online today and are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register within the next 5 to 10 days. Compliance with the new regulations will be required six months from the publication date in the Federal Register