The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) is the most universal resource to help manufacturers prepare and document dangerous shipments by air. The UN has listed lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries as dangerous goods and has provided recommendations on how to transport them.
Section 38.3 of the UN Manual Transport of Dangerous Goods provides a detailed description of which Li-ion batteries are categorized as dangerous goods and how to test to ensure that they are safe for transport. The United States Department of Transportation, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and IATA have made it mandatory for Li-ion batteries to be tested via section 38.3 and IATA issues detailed documentation for the requirements specific to air transport.
2019 IATA DGR
The 60th edition of the IATA DGR will go into effect January 1st, 2019. This edition incorporates all amendments made by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel in developing the content of the 2019–2020 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions in addition to changes recommended by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board.
IATA released the summary of significant changes to the DGR that will appear in the upcoming edition and there are some changes relevant to the shipment of Li-ion batteries; criteria have been added to address hybrid Li-ion (secondary) with Li-metal (primary) batteries and the document identifies that manufacturers and distributors of lithium cells or battery packs must make available a summary of the UN 38.3 tests effective January 1st 2020.
The full document is available for pre-order from multiple publishers and the summary document issued by IATA is linked below.
https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Documents/DGR-60-EN-significant-changes.pdf
Phasium Power is committed to monitoring and implementing up to date shipping requirements relevant to our power supply, charger and battery pack products. Our OEM customers rely on Phasium Power to navigate the complex and continually evolving world of regulations and standards.
