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Changes in IATA Regulations for Lithium Batteries
IATA has issued their Significant Changes and Amendments to the 63rd Edition (2022) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Changes to shipping Lithium batteries UN 3480 and UN 3090 by Air, starting April 1st, 2022.
Lithium Batteries or Cells Shipped Separately
Shipper’s who ship standalone lithium-ion and lithium-metal cells and batteries (UN 3480 and UN 3090). "Standalone" batteries are those not shipped "in equipment" or "with equipment."
IATA removed the provisions for Section II lithium batteries from the Packing Instructions (PI) associated with these shipments, PI 965 and PI 968. Starting this year, (2022) lithium battery shipments that fit the criteria for “Section II” must be shipped using Section IA or IB of the appropriate Packing Instruction.
What are Section II Lithium Batteries or Cells?
“Section II” refers to smaller lithium batteries that qualify for relief from some of the most burdensome IATA DGR air shipping rules.
The thresholds for Section II lithium batteries are:
Lithium-metal (UN 3090)Lithium-ion (UN 3480) Cell Not more than 1g Not more than 20 Wh Battery Not more than 2gNot more than 100 Wh
The only options in those instructions are to ship as Section IA (fully regulated) or Section IB (reduced packaging requirements, but full package marks and labels and a Shipper’s Declaration required).
This change only applies to standalone batteries shipped as UN3090 or UN3480. Lithium batteries contained in or packed with equipment (UN3091/UN3481) will still be accepted under ICAO/IATA rules as Section II.
Lithium Batteries or Cells Packed with Equipment
The second change concerning lithium batteries by air for 2022 relates to lithium batteries packed with equipment, IATA revised the wording of Packing Instructions 966 and 969 to clarify the allowed packing options.
Source: http://www.iata.org/dgr
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