# Republic Airways Holdings — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 14-0029
- **title:** Republic Airways Holdings — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2014-04-17
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 14-0029 response to Republic Airways Holdings concerning 175.10, 175.8.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0029.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0029.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0029
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2014/140029.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
APR 1 7 2014
John E. Martiney
Director, Hazmat & Environmental Compliance
Republic Airways Holdings
8909 Purdue Road, Suite 300
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
Ref. No.: 14-0029
Dear Mr. Martiney:
This is in response to your February 14, 2014letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to lithium battery powered
electronic devices used by an air carrier. Specifically you ask if lithium battery powered
electronic devices used by members of the flight crew during flight are excepted from the
HMR when transported in conformance with§ 175.8(b)(3).
The HMR do not apply to portable electronic devices containing lithium cells or batteries
carried aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft by the operator for use or sale on that aircraft
when conforming to the requirements in§ 175.8(b )(3). Among those requirements, the
lithium cells and batteries contained in electronic devices must meet the specific
requirements of§ 175.10(a)(18). In this context, lithium cells and batteries contained in the
electronic devices must conform to the appropriate size and quantity limits specified in
§ 175.10(a)(18).
Additionally, you should be aware that an FAA Information for Operators (InFO) 09014:
Portable Electronic Devices (Credit Card Readers) has been published on this issue and can
be found on FAA's website at www.faa.gov. The InFO is intended to ensure operators
incorporate their use of portable electronic devices into their Hazmat-related training and
manuals as appropriate. As noted in the InFO, you are encouraged to contact your Principal
Operations Inspector and/or nearest Hazardous Materials Division Manager for additional
information on compliance under Federal Aviation Regulations.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact this office.
Sincerely,
Duane Pfund
International Standards Coordinator
Standards and Rulemaking Division

<<<PAGE 2>>>

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February 14, 2014
U.S. DOT
PHMSA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Attn: PHH-10
East Building
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590-0001
Re: 49 CFR 175.8 and 49 CFR 175.10
Dear Sirs:
Final Rule HM-215L, published in the January 7, 2013 Federal Register, Vol. 78, No.4, amended
the HMR to maintain alignment with international standards (ICAO Tl 2013-2014). Among them
is a revision to 49 CFR 175.8 (b) (3):
Aerosols of Division 2.2 only (for dispensing of food products), alcoholic beverages, colognes, liquefied
gas lighters, perfumes, and portable electronic devices containing lithium cells or batteries that meet the
requirements of§ 1 7 5. 1 0( a) (18) carried aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft by the operator for use or
sale on tha specific aircraft.
We interpret 175.8 to include lithium-powered portable electronic devices used by the flight
attendants, such as hand held point-of-sale devices and smart phones.
However, the revised regulation states " ... that meet the requirements of 175. 10(a) (18) ... "
Whereby 175.1 O(a) (18) states " ... when carried by passengers or crew members for personal
use."
If the portable electronic devices are included as operators' equipment under 175.8, then
would 175.10 invalidate them because they are not 'for personal use', but rather for crew use?
We interpret the statement "that meets the requirements of 175. 10(a) (18)" to be the safety
and battery size limitation requirements.
What is the DOT definition of 'personal use"?
Are portable electronic devices powered by lithium batteries used by the flight attendants
during flight exempted from regulations under 175.8(b) (3); or are they not exempted per the
verbiage in 175.10(a) (18)?
Sin/ce[_e2, __
___ ,
71
n i~~~tey
Director, H~~;at 8: Environmental Compliance
Republic Airways Holdings
JM/
S909 l'urcluc Rd. Suite 300 lndiana 4626X Tele: 317-484-6000 Fax: 317-484-6040 www.I:iet.com
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