{"operation":"document","citation":"08-0147","title":"ComSonics, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2008-07-02","effective_on":null,"summary":"08-0147 response to ComSonics, Inc. concerning 173.185, 175.10.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0147.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0147.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0147","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080147.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nJUL 2 2008 1200 New Jersey Ave.. S E\nWashington. DC 20590\nMr. Daniel Brown\nProduct Support and Development Specialist\nComSonics, Inc.\n13 50 Port Republic Road\nP.O. Box 1 106\nHamsonburg, VA 22801\nRef. No. 08-0147\nDear Mr. Brown:\nThis is in response to your May 22,2008 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171 -1 80) applicable to lithium batteries.\nSpecifically, you ask whether a secondary lithium battery is considered \"small\" if its\nequivalent lithium content (ELC) is less than 8 grams. You ask if there are any ground\nrestrictions for such a battery and whether it is subject to the United Nations (UN) Manual of\nTests and Criteria tests T1 through T8.\nOn August 9,2007, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) amended\nthe HMR to enhance the safe transportation of lithium batteries, including both primary (non-\nrechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries (HM-224C & HM-224E; 72 FR\n44929). One amendment in this rulemaking was the addition of Special Provision 188 in 8\n172.102 of the HMR for small lithium cells and batteries. That provision specifies that a\n\"small\" lithium-ion battery has an aggregate ELC of not more than 8 grams. Except for\nhazardous communication requirements specified under this Special Provision, there are no\nrestrictions for the ground transportation of a secondary lithium battery. Effective October 1,\n2009, the cell or battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of tests TI through\nT8 in the LN Manual of Tests and Criteria.\nI hope this information is helphl.\nSincerely,\nMA. 29-J\nSusan Gorsky,\nRegulations Officer\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nW W W . C O ~ S O ~ ~ C S . C O ~ ~ Piv 50 Port Republic Road,\n/ $ r L) / { y P.O. Box 1 1 06\nHarrisonburg,VA 22801\n1-800-336-9682\nPHMSA, DOT\nWashington, DC.\n202.366.8553\nDear John Gale or Arthur Pollack,\nI am request an interpretation regarding the HMR ruling 49 CFR parts 171 -1 80 (Lithium Battery\ntransportation). I have read many publications regarding this issue including FR 72 Final rule, HM-224C\nand E plus several Interpretation letters. In doing so I may have misinterpreted the content or intent of\nsaid regulations.\nMy understanding of said ruling is if a secondary Lithium Ion battery's ELC < 8.0g it is\nclassified as \"Small\" and there are no restriction for ground transport nor are required to pass UN 3090\ntesting TI-T8 though appropriate labeling of said shipping containers still apply. Am I correct?\nTo provide some background information, we have recently been quoted UN testing from our\nbattery pack supplier. Our batteries are comprised of 2 Lithium Ion cells (18650) 2.4Ah each which\nequates to an ELC =1.44. This \"small\" classification mentions exceptions throughout the 49 CFR\nrulings and I wish to have furthered interpretations of said exceptions prior to having to inquire said\ntesting expenditures. Any information or enlightenment would be greatly appreciated.\nSincerely,\nDaniel Bowman\nComSonics Inc.\nProduct Support and Development Specialist\n1350 Port Republic Road\nHarrisonburg, VA. 2280 1\nTele. (540) 434-5965\n(800) 336-9681\nEXT. 1295\nFax. (540) 434-9847\nemail. dbowmai~~,comsonics.com -\nCorporate Phone: 540-434-5965 Corporate Fax: 540-434-9847 a Sales Fax: 540-432-9794","truncated":false,"body_characters":3420}