{"operation":"document","citation":"15-0163","title":"MPS Group — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2016-03-17","effective_on":null,"summary":"15-0163 response to MPS Group concerning 173.185, 173.21, 173.24.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0163.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0163.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0163","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2016/150163.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nMaterials Safety\nPipeline and Hazardous\nAdministration\nMAR 17 ZU16\nCynthia M. Walczak, CHMM, PE\nMPS Group\n38755 Hills Tech Drive\nFarmington Hills, MI 48331\nRef. No. 15-0163\nDear Ms. Walczak:\nThis responds to your letter of July 31, 2015 and subsequent telephone conversations with a\nmember of my staff requesting clarification on lithium battery shipments under the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Your questions are paraphrased and\nanswered as follows:\nQ1.\nWhen shipped by ground for purposes of disposal or recycling in conformance with\n§ 173.185(d), may smaller lithium ion batteries and smaller lithium metal batteries (as\nspecified by the size limits in § 173.185(c)(1)(i) and § 173.185(c)(1)(ii), respectively)\nbe shipped in the same package?\nAl. Yes. Hazardous materials may be packaged together with other hazardous and non-\nhazardous materials as prescribed in §§ 173.21 and 173.24(e)(4) of the HMR. In\ndoing so, it is the shipper's responsibility to determine whether the mixing of a\nmaterial in the same packaging, freight container, or overpack with another material is\nlikely to cause dangerous conditions, such as a dangerous evolution of heat or\nflammable vapors. Please note the gross weight limitation of 30 kilograms (66\npounds) per package, as specified in § 173.185(c)(1)(vi).\nQ2. Can a single handling marking be used to indicate that both smaller lithium metal\nbatteries and smaller lithium ion batteries are contained inside the same package?\nA2. Yes. Based on the information and example handling marking that you have provided,\nit is the opinion of this Office that a single handling marking may be used to indicate\nthat the package contains both lithium metal and lithium ion batteries. For\ntransportation by ground or vessel, proper hazard communication includes the marking\nrequirement found in § 173.185 (c)(3)(i)(A). Specifically, § 173.185 (c)(3)(i)(A)\nrequires that the outer package be marked with an indication of the type of lithium\ncells or batteries contained in the package (i.e., whether the package contains lithium\nion cells or batteries, lithium metal cells or batteries, or both types of lithium cells or\nbatteries). This marking must reflect the hazardous materials contained in the\npackage; if the package contains both lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, then the\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nhandling marking must indicate that both are present in the package. Similarly, a\npackage containing only lithium ion batteries, or only lithium metal batteries, cannot\nbe marked with an indication that both types of lithium batteries are present.\nOn November 23, 2015, PHMSA published the HM-260 final rule, \"Hazardous\nMaterials: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications (RRR),\" which amended\n§ 173.185(c)(3)(i)(A) to state: \"An indication that the package contains 'Lithium\nmetal' and/or 'Lithium ion' cells or batteries, as appropriate...\" (see 80 FR 72917). In\nthe regulatory text of § 173.185 (c)(3)(i)(A) prior to the HM-260-related amendment,\nthe use of the word \"or\" was not intended to prohibit smaller lithium ion and smaller\nlithium metal batteries from being shipped in the same package. The \"or\" was\nintended to ensure that the type(s) of lithium batteries inside the package are\naccurately indicated on the prescribed marking. Nevertheless, PHMSA made this\namendment in HM-260 to improve clarity regarding the marking requirements.\nPlease also note that, in addition to the marking requirement found in\n§ 173.185(c)(3)(i)(A), the marking requirements specified in §8 173.185(c)(1)(ii) and\n173.185(c)(1)(iv) might also apply.\nI hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, please contact this Office\nagain.\nSincerely\nDet 2 tre\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nResko\n125 g\nGoodall, Shante CTR (PHMSA)\nKithin calls and battarie.\nFrom:\nGeller, Shelby CTR (PHMSA)\n15 - 0143\nSent:\nMonday, August 03, 2015 2:50 PM\nTo:\nSubject:\nRecycling under 49CFR173.185(d)\nFW: Request for Interpretation Letter on Shipping Smaller Lithium Cells and Batteries for\nAttachments:\nRequest for Interpretation Letter 173.185d.pdf\nDear Shante and Alice,\nForwarded is a request for a formal letter of interpretation.\nThanks,\nShelby\nFrom: Walczak, Cindy [mailto:CWalczak@mpsgrp.com]\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter\nSent: Friday, July 31, 2015 5:02 PM\nCc: Weems, Donald; Nacker, Rodney\n49CFR173.185(d)\nSubject: Request for Interpretation Letter on Shipping Smaller Lithium Cells and Batteries for Recycling under\n49CFR 173.185(d).\nAttached please find a Request for Interpretation Letter in regards to shipping smaller lithium batteries for recycling under\nYour assistance is very much appreciated. Please call or email me if you have any questions or require additional information.\nThank you.\nCindy Walczak, CHMM, PE\nProject Manager\nMPS Group\nSarin to Tis, MI 48331\n(313) 841-7588\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nMPS\ngroup\nLetter Sent Via Email\nJuly 31, 2015\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPHMSA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nAttn: PHH-10 .\nEast Building\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nRE: Request for Interpretation Letter on Shipping Smaller Lithium Cells and Batteries\nfor Recycling under 49CFR173.185(d)\nI am requesting that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration provide\nclarification in regards to shipping smaller lithium cells and batteries for recycling under\n49CFR173.185(d). Specifically, would PHMSA please address the following:\n1. When shipped by ground and in compliance with 49CFR 173.185(d), may smaller\nlithium ion batteries and smaller lithium metal batteries ship in the same package?\n2. If yes, can a single label be used to identify that both lithium metal and lithium ion\nbatteries are contained inside the package?\nThank you for your assistance. Please call or email me if you have any questions or require\nadditional information. I can be reached at (313) 841-7588 or cwalczak@mpsgrp.com.\nSincerely,\nCynthia M. Walczak, CH\n38755 Hills Tech Drive = Farmington Hills, MI 48331 = P: 313.841.7588 = F: 248.489.0656 • info@mpsgrp.com * www.mpsgrp.com - ISO 9001 & ISO 14001","truncated":false,"body_characters":6239}