# Mr. Carl Severn — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 08-0202
- **title:** Mr. Carl Severn — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2008-10-14
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 08-0202 concerning 172.101, 173.22.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0202.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0202.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0202
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080202.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave.. SE
Washington, DC 20590
Mr. Carl Severn
12596 W Bayaud Avenue, Suite 2 10
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
Ref. No. 08-0202
Dear Mr. Severn:
This is in response to August 5,2008 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171 - 180). You provide six common battery
types and the proper shipping description that you believe is appropriate for each. You ask
that we confirm the proper shipping descriptions for each of the six battery types. The battery
type and your description for each are summarized as follows:
1. Nickel-Cadmium batteries (dry, typically for appliances, toys, and cordless phones).
Proper shipping description: Battery, dry, not subject to the requirements of this subchapter.
2. Nickel-Cadmium batteries (wet)
Proper shipping description: Batteries, wet, filled with alkali, 8, UN3028,III
3. Alkaline Batteries (common AA, D, and C cell batteries)
Proper shipping description: Battery, dry, not subject to the requirements of this subchapter
4. Lithium-manganese dioxide batteries (found in phones and digital cameras)
Proper shipping description: Lithium battery, 9, UN3090, I1
5. Lithium ion button batteries (typically for watches and calculators)
Proper shipping description: Lithium battery, 9, UN3090, I1
6. Silver oxide batteries (common in watches)
Proper shipping description: Battery, dry, not subject to the requirements of the subchapter
It is the shipper's responsibility to properly class and describe a hazardous material in
accordance with the HMR (see 5 173.22, shipper responsibility). This office does not
perform that function. However, it is the opinion of this Office that the proper shipping
descriptions you have provided for each battery type are appropriate. Please note that
batteries described as "Batteries, dry, not subject to the requirements of this subchapter"
must be securely packaged and offered for transportation in a manner that prevents the

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Carl Severn
12596 W. Bayaud Avenue, Suite 210 Ft-bioprf 5h;pp;nj dome
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
0s -0ZoZ
(303) 526-2674
August 5,2008
Mr. Ed Mazzullo
U.S. DOT PHMSA
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Building, 2"* Floor
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
I am seeking written guidance in regards to 49 CFR 172.101. In particular, I am looking
for clarification as to what are the most accurate shipping descriptions for common
batteries.
Below are listed six common battery types (1-6). Under each type I placed shipping
descriptions I feel best describe the battery, the first (A) being my first shipping description
choice, the second (B) being my second choice for a shipping description. Please provide
assistance by identifying the most accurate shipping description for the following battery
types.
Note: The batteries below are not in their original inner packagings, intended for retail sale.
Rather, they are used and are being collected for disposal or recycling. As well, transport is
by highway only.
1) Nickel-cadmium batteries (dry, typically for appliances, toys and cordless phones)
A) Battery, dry, not subject to the requirements of this subchapter
B) Batteries, dry, containing potassium hydroxide solid, 8, UN3028, I11
2) Nickel-cadmium batteries (wet)
A) Batteries, wet, filled with alkali, 8, UN2795, I11
3) Alkaline batteries (these are the common AA, C and D cell batteries)
A) Battery, dry, not subject to the requirements of this subchapter
B) Batteries, dry, containing potassium hydroxide solid, 8, UN3028,III
4) Lithium-manganese dioxide batteries (found in phones and digital cameras)
A) Lithium battery, 9, UN3090, I1
5) Lithium ion button batteries (typically for watches and calculators)
A) Lithium battery, 9, UN3090, I1

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6) Silver oxide button batteries (common in watches)
A) Battery, dry, not subject to the requirements of this subchapter
B ) Batteries, dry, containing potassium hydroxide solid, 8, UN3028, I11
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Carl Severn
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