{"operation":"document","citation":"19-0137","title":"Lithium-Batterie-Service GbR — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2020-05-05","effective_on":null,"summary":"19-0137 response to Lithium-Batterie-Service GbR concerning 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-19-0137.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-19-0137.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-19-0137","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/73781/190137.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nMay 5, 2020\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nEva Glimsche\nLithium-Batterie-Service GbR\nSperberstr. 50e\n81827 München\nGermany\nReference No. 19-0137\nDear Ms. Glimsche:\nThis letter is in response to your December 18, 2019, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to packaging\nrequirements for lithium batteries. Specifically, you ask whether lithium batteries packaged in\naccordance with § 173.185(b)(5) are excepted from the inner packaging requirements specified\nin § 173.185(b)(3)(i).\nThe answer is yes. Section 173.185(b)(5) provides exceptions for lithium batteries that weigh 12\nkg (26.5 pounds) or more and have a strong impact-resistant outer casing and are otherwise\npackaged to prevent short circuits and damage as required by § 173.185(b)(2). This provision\nallows certain lithium batteries to be packed in strong outer packagings, in protective enclosures,\nor on pallets or other handling devices. Therefore, lithium batteries packaged in accordance with\n§ 173.185(b)(5) do not require inner packaging, only the strong impact-resistant outer casing that\nis part of the battery. The inner packagings described in § 173.185(b)(3)(i) are part of a\nconfiguration of a packaging that would accompany the outer packagings described in\n§ 173.185(b)(3)(ii). When § 173.185(b)(5) states that lithium batteries may be packaged in\nconfigurations other than those specified in § 173.185(b)(3)(ii) and (b)(3)(iii), that also includes\nthe requirement that the batteries be packaged with the inner packagings in paragraph (b)(3)(i).\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Inner packagings required for large batteries described in 173.185 (b) (5)\nDate: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 2:38:20 PM\nAttachments: Glimshe_2_LOI.docx\nHello Alice and Ikeya,\nPlease see below for letter of interpretation request.\nPlease contact our office with any questions.\nThanks,\nKathryn, HMIC\nFrom: Eva Glimsche [mailto:eva.glimsche@lithium-batterie-service.de]\nSent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 11:43 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSubject: Inner packagings required for large batteries described in 173.185 (b) (5)\nDear PHMSA Team,\nI would like to request an interpretation as per 49 CFR 105.20 in writing on the following\nquestion:\nIn 173.185 (b) (5) it reads that\nLithium batteries that weigh 12 kg (26.5 pounds) or more and have a strong, impact-\nresistant outer casing and assemblies of such batteries, may be packed\nin strong outer packagings;\nin protective enclosures (for example, in fully enclosed or wooden slatted\ncrates); or\non pallets or other handling devices,\ninstead of packages meeting the UN performance packaging requirements in\nparagraphs (b)(3)(ii) and (b)(3)(iii) of this section.\nBatteries or battery assemblies must be secured to prevent inadvertent movement,\nand the terminals may not support the weight of other superimposed elements.\nBatteries or battery assemblies packaged in accordance with this paragraph are not\npermitted for transportation by passenger-carrying aircraft and may be transported by\ncargo aircraft only if approved by the Associate Administrator.\nSince there is no mention of paragraph (b)(3)(i) does that mean that e.g. large HV\nautomobile batteries need to be placed in an inner packaging as described in (b)(3)\n(i)?\nBest regards\nEva\nEva Glimsche\nLithium-Batterie-Service GbR – Sperberstr. 50e – 81827 München - Germany\nBüro + 49 - 89 - 43579624 – Mobil + 49 - 171 – 4958177\neva.glimsche@lithium-battery-service.com\nwww.lithium-battery-service.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":3909}