The transportation of primary (non-rechargeable) lithium and rechargeable lithium ion and lithium polymer cells and batteries is regulated in the United States in accordance with Part 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, (49 CFR Sections 100-185) of the US Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).
The international transportation of lithium cells and batteries is regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions and corresponding International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
UN Transportation regulations
Under United Nations transportation regulations, all primary lithium and rechargeable lithium ion and lithium polymer cells and batteries must comply with the UN T1 ? T8 testing requirements prior to being shipped. The following tests are specified in the Fourth revised edition of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria (ST/SG/AC.10.11/Rev. 4), Part III, subsection 38.3:
These tests only have to be performed osnce for each cell or battery of a given design. Additional testing is required when a previously tested cell or battery undergoes design or construction changes as follows:
(a) A change of more than 0.1 g or 20% by mass, whichever is greater, to the cathode,
to the anode, or to the electrolyte; or
(b) A change that would materially affect the test results.
Kokam has fully-equipped testing laboratories in factory that can perform the lithium battery transportation tests and verification of compliance now required by the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria. Our test services are available to device manufacturers, battery assemblers, research and end-user organizations who either do not have their own in-house testing capabilities or prefer to take advantage of our many years of battery design, manufacturing and testing expertise.
For additional information on this testing service, or to arrange to have your cells or batteries tested, please contact your Kokam sales representative, or mail to battery@kokam.com
