DOT Releases New Rules for Lithium Battery Shippers – effective immediately
Unlike most transport rule changes, there is no a transition period for this rule.
This makes it critical for companies transporting lithium batteries to understand the changes and ensure their organizations are compliant with the new regulations immediately.
On March 6, 2019 the Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) on enhanced safety provisions for transporting lithium batteries.
The rule added additional marking and labeling requirements for lithium battery shipments transported by road, rail and air.
The rule prohibits the transport of lithium ion cells and batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft; requires lithium ion cells and batteries to be shipped at not more than a 30 percent state of charge aboard cargo-only aircraft when not packed with or contained in equipment; and limits the use of alternative provisions for small lithium cell or battery shipments to one package per consignment.
See our Knowledge Base Article for how to implement these changes.