{"operation":"document","citation":"04-0154","title":"CapAnalysis — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2004-08-02","effective_on":null,"summary":"04-0154 response to CapAnalysis concerning 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-04-0154.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-04-0154.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-04-0154","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2004/040154.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\n400 Seventh St., S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nResearch and\nSpecial Programs\nAdministration\nAUG - 2 2004\nMr. George A. Kerchner\nRef No.: 04-0154\nManager\nCapAnalysis\n1299 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.\nWashington, DC 20004\nDear Mr. Kerchner:\nThis is in response to your letter requesting clarification of provisions for lithium and\nlithium ion batteries shipped internationally in accordance with the International Air\nTransport Association's (IATA) standards, International Civil Aviation Organization's\nTechnical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO\nTechnical Instructions) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.\nSpecifically you ask whether all lithium and lithium ion batteries, including those\ncontaining not more than 2 grams of lithium metal and not more than 8 grams of\nequivalent lithium content are subject to the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria,\nPart III, Sub-section 38.3.\nThe answer is yes. The IATA regulations do not have official standing under the U.S.\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171.180). The regulation\nrecognized by the HMR and authorized in § 171.11 as an alternative to compliance with\nHMR requirements is the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical\nInstructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical\nInstructions). In accordance with ICAO Technical Instructions special provision\n\"A45(f),\" lithium cells and batteries that were manufactured before January 1, 2003, that\nhave not been tested in accordance with the testing requirements in Chapter 38.3 of the\nUN Manual of Tests and Criteria may be transported until December 31, 2004, if all of\nthe other applicable requirements are met. However, the ICAO Technical Instructions\nrequire all lithium cells and batteries manufactured after January 1, 2003, to be tested in\naccordance with the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.\nFor transportation by vessel, special provision \"310\" of the International Maritime\nDangerous Goods (IMDG) Code states that the testing requirements in chapter 38.3 of the\nUN Manual of Tests and Criteria do not apply to production runs consisting of not more\nthan 100 lithium cells and batteries, or to pre-production prototypes of lithium cells and\nbatteries when these prototypes are transported for testing, if;\n040154\n173.185\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n1. The cells and batteries are transported in an outer packaging that is a metal,\nplastics or plywood drum or a metal, plastics, or wooden box and that meets the criteria\nfor Packing Group I packagings; and\n2. Each cell and battery is individually packed in an inner packaging inside an\nouter packaging and is surrounded by cushioning material that is non-combustible and\nnon-conductive.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance\nSincerely,\nResi\nChief, Standards Develoome\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nJUN. 25. 2004 12:49PM\nHOWREY-SIMON\nNO. 516\nP. 2\nCAPANALYSIS\nRelerford\n$173.185\nGeorge A. Kerchner\nManager\nLithium Batteries\nDIRECT: 202-383-7163\nkerchnerg@capanalysis.com\n04-0154\nJune 25, 2004\nVia Facsimile\nMI. Edward Mazzullo\nDirector of Hazardous Materials Standards\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\n400 7\" Street, SW\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nWashington, DC 20590\nRe: Request for Interpretation on UN Testing of Lithium Batteries\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nI am writing to request confirmation on whether UN testing is required for small lithium and\nlithium ion batteries under the ICAO Technical Instructions, JATA Dangerous Goods Regulations,\nand International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. There appears to be a significant\namount of confusion among U.S. battery assemblers with regard to this issue so your immediate\nresponse to my question is greatly appreciated.\nQuestion: Currently, must all lithium and lithium ion batteries, including those containing\ntested pursuant to the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Sub-section 38.3 if the batteries are\nnot more than 2 grams of lithium metal and not more than 8 grams of equivalent lithium content, be\nshipped internationally pursuant to the ICAO Technical Instructions, IATA Dangerous Goods\nRegulations, and International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code?\nI am aware of course of the iwo-year \"grandfather clause\" in Special Provision A45(f) of the\nIATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions for batteries manufactured\nrior to January 1, 2003, and that certain \"prototype\" batteries and batteries of \"similar desien\" ma\nlot require testing. However, my question goes more to the general UN testing requirements\nThank you in advance for your immediate response to this matter.\nSincerely,\nSantA Kerchie,\nGeorge A. Kerchner\nAMSTERDAM\nBRUSSELS\nCHICAGO\nHOUSTON\nIRVINE\nLONDON\nLOS ANGELES\nMENLO PARK\nSAN FRANCISCO\nWASHINGTON, DC","truncated":false,"body_characters":4918}