Massive Changes in Lithium Battery Transportation

Clinton, PA – Transportation Compliance Associates, Inc. (TCA), a hazardous materials training and regulatory consulting firm, is reminding carriers about changes to International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) technical instructions for lithium battery transportation. These changes are scheduled to become effective April 1, 2016, requiring compliance on behalf of all transportation companies who handle lithium cells and batteries.

The deadline for this change is rapidly approaching. TCA is providing guidance on these changes and the steps you must take in order to maintain compliance and prevent any disruption in your business.

Summary of Changes to ICAO Technical Instructions
IATA updates based on changes to ICAO's Technical instructions include the following:

Cargo ban for lithium ion batteries on passenger aircrafts – PI 965 now prohibits the transport of UN3480, lithium ion batteries aboard passenger carrying aircraft. Packages must display the "Cargo Aircraft Only" label in addition to previously required marks and labels.

30 percent state of charge limit – PI 965 lithium ion cells and batteries must not be offered for transport at a state of charge that exceeds 30% of their rated capacity.

Package and Overpack quantity limits – Only one package prepared according to PI 965 Section II or PI 968 Section II may be placed in an overpack, or offered in a single consignment. In addition, packages and overpacks offered to operators must be offered separately from other cargo. The packages and overpacks are not permitted to be in a unit load device when offered to the operator.

Steps Needed to Be in Compliance with Changes to Technical Instructions
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) training and certification is required for all shippers handling air transportation of dangerous goods such as lithium ion batteries. This provides required training to frontline employees and their supervisors who are directly involved in the preparation and shipment of lithium cells and batteries and other dangerous goods. The specific duties of your employees dictate the level of required IATA DGR training needed in order to maintain regulatory compliance. As a handler or shipper of dangerous goods, it is important to review your current IATA DGR training. Consult with an expert to determine what, if any additional training is needed in order to maintain compliance in advance of the April 1 effective date of the new technical instructions for lithium cells and batteries.

Transportation Compliance Associates, Inc. is a regulatory compliance, data management and operational support company with years of industry experience dealing with hazardous materials and dangerous goods. Get information about your training requirements before the new regulations become effective April 1st.

Contact TCA today by phone at (855) 637-9566 or by email at info@hazmat-1.com. You can also learn more about this and other regulatory compliance training offered by TCA to meet your HazMat training requirements online at www.learnhazmat.com.