{"operation":"document","citation":"22-0007","title":"Consolidated Nuclear Security — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2022-10-20","effective_on":null,"summary":"22-0007 response to Consolidated Nuclear Security concerning 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0007.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0007.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0007","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/76896/220007.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nOctober 20, 2022\nChris Carthel\nConsolidated Nuclear Security\nPantex Plant\nP.O. Box 30020\nAmarillo, TX 79120-0020\nReference No. 22-0007\nDear Mr. Carthel:\nThis letter is in response to your January 27, 2022, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to lithium cells and\nbatteries. In your email, you ask about the testing requirements specified in § 173.185(a) and the\nshipper’s responsibility for verifying—prior to shipment—that lithium cells and batteries offered\nfor transportation meet the criteria in part III, subsection 38.3 of the United Nations (UN)\nManual of Tests and Criteria. Specifically, you ask whether a general statement in a safety data\nsheet, website, email, or other document provided by the manufacturer that the lithium batteries\nmeet the test criteria would satisfy the requirements of § 173.185(a)(2) or must a shipper obtain\nand review the test summary document itself.\nIn accordance with § 173.185(a)(1), each lithium cell or battery must be of a type proven to meet\nthe criteria in part III, subsection 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. Each\nmanufacturer and subsequent distributor of lithium cells or batteries manufactured on or after\nJanuary 1, 2008, must make available a test summary. See § 173.185(a)(3). The test summary\nincludes a standardized set of elements that provide traceability and accountability, thereby\nensuring that lithium cell and battery designs offered for transport contain specific information\non the required UN tests. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the shipper to ensure the cell or\nbattery is of a tested type.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nA shipper could rely on information provided by the battery or product manufacturer as evidence\nthat the cell or battery meets the required tests, but this would not meet the requirement for a\nmanufacturer or distributor to make available a test summary as required in § 173.185(a)(2).\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 3>>>\n\nAndrews\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: [External] RE: Request for Interpretation - Lithium Battery Test Summaries\nDate: Thursday, February 3, 2022 3:42:50 PM\nAttachments: image001.png\n22-0007\nHi Alice,\nPlease see the below interpretation request.\nShould you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.\nRegards,\n-Breanna\nFrom: Carthel, Chris <Chris.Carthel@pxy12.doe.gov>\nSent: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 9:32 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSubject: RE: [External] RE: Request for Interpretation - Lithium Battery Test Summaries\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or\nopen attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nHello Breanna:\nBelow is the information you requested:\nMailing Address:\nPantex Plant\nAttn: Chris Carthel\nP.O. Box 30020\nAmarillo, TX 79120-0020\nPhysical Address:\nPantex Plant\nAttn: Chris Carthel\nUS Highway 60 & FM2373\nPanhandle, TX 79068\nChris Carthel\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nTransportation Advisor\nContractor to the Department of Energy\nChris.Carthel@pxy12.doe.gov\n(806) 573-5703 Office\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSent: Tuesday, February 1, 2022 10:58 AM\nTo: Carthel, Chris <Chris.Carthel@pxy12.doe.gov>\nSubject: [External] RE: Request for Interpretation - Lithium Battery Test Summaries\nDear Chris,\nWe have received your request for a written letter of interpretation regarding the hazardous\nmaterials regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180). The hazardous materials regulations are available at\nthe following URL:\nhttps://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?\nSID=1d49a3b137cb1b6fc45251074e634b44&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49tab_02.tpl\nHowever, before we can submit your request for processing, please respond to this email with:\nPhysical Mailing Address\nSincerely,\nBreanna, Hazardous Materials Specialist\nAn e-mail response from this office is considered informal guidance. Formal guidance may be\nrequested in accordance with 49 CFR 105.20. https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/standards-\nrulemaking/hazmat/hazardous-materials-information-center\nFrom: Carthel, Chris <Chris.Carthel@pxy12.doe.gov>\nSent: Thursday, January 27, 2022 10:36 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSubject: Request for Interpretation - Lithium Battery Test Summaries\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or\nopen attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nHello:\nBased on PHMSA Docket HM-215O [codified at 49 CFR 173.185(a)] and DOT’s Lithium Battery Guide\nfor Shippers, it appears DOT holds shippers responsible for verifying—prior to shipment—that\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nlithium cells and batteries offered for transportation have passed the design tests found in the UN\nManual of Tests and Criteria, Section 38.3, as reflected in the manufacturer’s lithium battery test\nsummary.\nWhen a lithium battery manufacturer provides a general statement in a safety data sheet, website,\nemail, or other document which certifies their batteries have passed the relevant tests in UN 38.3, is\nthis sufficient evidence upon which a shipper may rely to proceed with shipping , or must the\nshipper obtain and review the test summary itself?\nPlease advise. Thank you.\nRespectfully,\nChris Carthel\nTransportation Advisor\nContractor to the Department of Energy\nChris.Carthel@pxy12.doe.gov\n(806) 573-5703 Office","truncated":false,"body_characters":5796}