{"operation":"document","citation":"08-0236","title":"Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2008-10-31","effective_on":null,"summary":"08-0236 response to Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. concerning 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0236.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0236.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0236","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080236.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Ave., SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nMr. Colin P. Carroll\nObadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C.\n1 17 North Henry Street\nAlexandria, VA 223 14-2903\nRef. No. 08-0236\nDear Mr. Greene:\nThis responds to your letter dated October 1, 2008 concerning the applicability of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1-1 80) to offerors of small lithium\ncells and batteries. Specifically, you seek clarification of the training requirements and gross\nweight limitations outlined in Part 172.\nLithium cells and batteries, including cells and batteries packed with or contained in\nequipment, that meet the requirements of Special Provision (SP) 188 are not subject to any\nother requirements of the HMR. Therefore, persons who ship small lithium cells and\nbatteries under the provisions of SP 188 are not subject to the formal training requirements of\nSubpart H in Part 172 or the aircraft quantity limitations outlined in 5 172.102, Special\nProvisions A 100, A 10 1, A 103 and A 104. A person who offers small lithium cells and\nbatteries for transportation under SP 188 must ensure that the cells or batteries comply with\neach of the requirements of SP 188.\nI hope this satisfies your inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.\nSincerely,\n0- dfik\nSusan Gorsky\nActing Chief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nColin P. Carroll\nAdmitted in Massachusetts J\nObadal, Filler, 3 17Z.102 sPl8ti:\nMacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. 3l75.10\n117 North Henry Street, Alexandria, VA 223 14-2903 &fL*'y\nTelephone 703.299.0784 Fax 703.299.0254\nwww.potomac-1aw.com OS-OZ%\nElectronic Mail colin@potomac-law.com\nOctober 1, 2008\nVIA E-MAIL TO: kevin.lean/@dot.qov\nKevin Leary\nTransportation Regulations Specialist\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nRE: Small, Secondary Lithium-ion Battery Special Provision 188\nDear Mr. Leary:\nThank you for taking the time to talk with me regarding the application of Title 49 CFR §\n172.102(c)(l), Special Provision 188 (SP 188). As we discussed, I am writing to ask for\nan interpretation of SP 188 as it applies to the Special Provisions covering transport of\nlithium batteries by aircraft and the hazardous material training requirements of 49 CFR\npart 172, subpart H.\nFor small, secondary lithium-ion batteries and cells, SP 188 states that:\nLithium cells or batteries, including cells or batteries packed with or contained in\nequipment, are not subject to any other requirements of this subchapter if\nthey meet all of the following (emphasis added):\nb. . . .For a lithium-ion cell, the equivalent lithium content is not more than 1.5 g;\nc. . . .For a lithium-ion battery, the aggregate equivalent lithium content is not\nmore than 8 g;\nd. Effective October I , 2009, the cell or battery must be of a type proven to meet\nthe requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR; see\n$1 71.7 of this subchapter);\ne. Cells or batteries are separated so as to prevent short circuits and are packed\nin a strong outer packaging or are contained in equipment.. ..\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nMr. Kevin Leary\nOctober 1,2008\nPage 2\nRE: Small, Secondary Lithium-ion Battery Special Provision 188\nf. Effective October 1, 2008, except when contained in equipment, each package\ncontaining more than 24 lithium cells or 12 lithium batteries must be:\n(1) Marked to indicate that it contains lithium batteries, and special procedures\nshould be followed in the event that the package is damaged;\n(2) Accompanied by a document indicating that the package contains lithium\nbatteries and special procedures should be followed in the event that the\npackage is damaged;\n(3) Capable of withstanding a 1.2 meter drop test in any orientation without\ndamage to cells or batteries contained in the package, without shifting of the\ncontents that would allow short circuiting and without release of package\ncontents; and\n(4) Gross weight of the package may not exceed 30 kg (66 pounds). This\nrequirement does not apply to lithium cells or batteries packed with equipment.. ..\ng. Electrical devices must conform to 5 1 73.2 1 of this subchapter; and\nh. Lithium batteries or cells are not authorized aboard an aircraft in checked or\ncarry-on luggage except as provided in 5 1 75.10.\nFrom the plain language of the regulation, it is my understanding that a shipment of\nsmall, secondary lithium-ion batteries meeting the requirements of SP 188 is otherwise\nexcepted from all other provisions of Title 49 CFR, subchapter C, Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMRs).\nSpecifically, such shipments would be excluded from Special Provision A54 (noting the\n35 kilograrr~ limit on cargo aircraft, unless a higher amount is approved by the\nAdministrator, which conflicts with the 30 kilogram gross weight limit of SP 188), as well\nas SPs A100, A103 and Al04, which limit the quantity of secondary lithium batteries\ntransported aboard passenger carrying aircraft to a gross weight of five (5) kilograms.\nLikewise, any person that transports or causes the transport of SP 188 compliant small,\nsecondary lithium-ion batteries in commerce, including performing pre-transportation\nfunctions and/or loading or unloading is also excepted from all other provisions of the\nHIVIRs. This includes the training requirements imposed on hazardous material\nemployers under 49 CFR part 172, subpart H.\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nMr. Kevin Leary\nOctober 1, 2008\nPage 3\nRE: Small, Secondary Lithium-ion Battery Special Provision 188\nTherefore, I am requesting an interpretation from your office confirming this reading on\nthe scope of SP 188, i.e., that compliance with that SP is all that is necessary to comply\nfully with the HIVIRs.\nThank you for your assistance in this matter. If there are any questions please do not\nhesitate to contact me.\nKind Regards,\nColin P. Carroll","truncated":false,"body_characters":5983}