{"operation":"document","citation":"24-0115","title":"AJ Networks — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2025-04-02","effective_on":null,"summary":"24-0115 response to AJ Networks concerning 173.185, 178.503, 178.601.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0115.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0115.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0115","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2025-04/240115.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nApril 2, 2025\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nAustin Yang\nManager\nAJ Networks\n14F, AJ Bldg, 8-9, Jeongui-ro, Songpa-gu\nSeoul, Korea 05836\nReference No. 24-0115\nDear Mr. Yang:\nThis letter is in response to your October 14, 2024 email and subsequent email conversation\nrequesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)\napplicable to prototype and low-production run lithium battery packaging requirements in\n§ 173.185(e). Specifically, in your email, you describe a packaging arrangement in which a\nbattery is placed inside of a fiberboard box with polyethylene foam blocks to secure the battery\nagainst shifting. The fiberboard box is subsequently surrounded by non-combustible, electrically\nnon-conductive material and placed into an outer packaging.\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1. Can the packaging requirements in § 173.185(e)(1) for a prototype or low-production run\nlithium battery be met in the manner described in your letter, that is by surrounding an\ninner packaging with non-combustible, electrically non-conductive cushioning\nmaterial?\nA1. Yes. In accordance with § 173.185(e)(1), each prototype or low-production run cell or\nbattery must be individually packed in a non-metallic inner packaging, inside an outer\npackaging, and must be surrounded by cushioning material that is non-combustible and\nelectrically non-conductive, or contained in equipment. The packaging arrangement\ndescribed in your letter appears to meet the requirements of § 173.185(e), provided the\ncushioning material prevents shifting of the batteries within the package that may lead to\ndamage and a dangerous condition.\nQ2. Is there a registration requirement or authorization process to use performance-oriented\npackaging (e.g., a 4G fiberboard box) following successful completion of the required\ntests in Part 178, Subpart M?\nA2. No. There is no requirement to register, obtain prior approval from PHMSA, or submit\nrecords of successful tests to the Department of Transportation to use a non-bulk\n\n<<>>\n\nperformance-oriented packaging. Test records must be retained and provided to a\nrepresentative of the Department of Transportation upon request—see § 178.601(l).\nQ3. Can a non-bulk performance-oriented packaging that has passed the design tests required\nin Part 178, Subpart M and has been marked in accordance § 178.503 be used to\ntransport hazardous materials?\nA3. Yes. Each performance-oriented packaging must be marked with the name and address\nor symbol of the manufacturer or the approval agency certifying compliance with Subpart\nL and Subpart M of Part 178. Symbols, if used, must be registered with the Associate\nAdministrator. This marking certifies that the packaging design complies with the\napplicable requirements of the HMR.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDirk Der Kinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<>>\n\n24-0115\nJones, Jessie Jane (PHMSA)\nPatrick\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSent: Thursday, October 31, 2024 11:24 AM\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: Attachments: AJ Networks Company Profile (US)_240910.pdf\nFW: Inquiry about prototype lithium battery packaging - 49 CFR 173.185(e)\nHi Alice,\nPlease see the below and attached interpretation request.\nLet me know if you need anything.\nRegards,\n-Breanna\nFrom: 양정보/Austin Yang \nSent: Monday, October 14, 2024 11:48 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) \nCc: seohj@ajnet.co.kr; '신명근/Phillip Shin' ; lcycy214@ajnet.co.kr; swjung28@ajnet.co.kr;\n'이수길 과장(패키징R&D팀)' \nSubject: Inquiry about prototype lithium battery packaging - 49 CFR 173.185(e)\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links\nor open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nDear DOT representative,\nHello,\nThis is Austin Yang from AJ Networks, South Korea.\nAJ Networks is one of the largest packaging solution company in South Korea,\ndoing package supply business with Korean secondary battery manufacturers, plan to set up new US branch in MI.\nPlease refer to attached company profile of us.\nWe are curruntly in the compliance check phase in packaging design development with customer,\ncontacting you because there are some provisions that require advice from the authority.\nthe product to be packaged is a proto type lithium battery module, we reviewed relevant regulation, 49 CFR 173.185(e)\nour initial packaging concept was as below :\n1\n\n<<>>\n\n1st Concept Development Focus\n Cushioning material : PE Foam\n Inner package : Fiberbaord box (4G)\n Outer Package : Plywood box (4D)\n Net mass of battery : 31kg – over 30kg, 1 battery per outer packaging / 49 CFR 173.185(e)(3)\n Plan to manufacture the package in US\nHowever, through the compliance review session, we found other critical factor to consider, non-combustible and\nelectrically non-conductive cushioning material :\n 49 CFR 173.185(e)(1)\nExcept as provided in paragraph (e)(5) of this section, each cell or battery is individually packed in a non-metallic\ninner packaging,\ninside an outer packaging, and is surrounded by cushioning material that is non-combustible and electrically non-\nconductive, or contained in equipment.\nEquipment must be constructed or packaged in a manner as to prevent accidental operation during transport;\n 49 CFR 173.185(e)(2)\nAppropriate measures shall be taken to minimize the effects of vibration and shocks and prevent shifting of the\ncells or batteries within the package\nthat may lead to damage and a dangerous condition during transport. Cushioning material that is non-\ncombustible and electrically non-conductive may be used to meet this requirement;\nHere is our questions :\n1) Surrounding Inner package with non-combustible and electrically non-conductive cushioning material in outer\npackage\nSeeing our 1st concept, could it fulfil the regulation if we surround inner package(fiberboard box) with non-\ncombustible and electrically non-conductive cushioning material?\n-. we would like to keep 1st concept of inner package including PE Foam,\n-. but we will revise outer package design, attaching non-combustible and electrically non-conductive cushioning\nmaterial inside of the outer package to make cushioning material surrounds inner package.\nPlease find below revised concept that upper details are reflected.\nI would appreciate it if you could review this concept meets the relevant provisions.\n2\n\n<<>>\n\n2nd Concept\n2) Packaging authorization from DOT\nAfter the POP testing, if it passes, is there a packaging registration or authorization process to DOT with\ntesting report?\nAs far as we reviewed, no such regulation exists for 4D and 4G to be authrized from DOT, but periodic testing\nis mandatory, surely if DOT request test report, it should be provided.\nso, only passed testing report and appropriate marking in accordance with regulation 49 CFR 178.503 is\nrequried to use the package?\nWe would greatly appreciate your insights and feedback.\nWe look forward to hearing from you.\nThank you.\n3\n\n<<>>\n\nBest regards,\n글로벌사업팀\n양정보 / 과장\nGlobal Business Team\nAustin Yang / Manager\n14F, AJ Bldg, 8-9, Jeongui-ro, Songpa-gu\nSeoul, Korea (ZIP: 05836)\nTel (82)10-7225-4829\nE-MAIL : rangbo@ajnet.co.kr\najnetworks.co.kr\n4\n\n<<>>\n\nTAJ Networks\nAJ NETWORKS CO.,LTD. (HQ)\nAJ LOGISVALUE USA INC.\n\n<<>>\n\nAJ Networks is the largest rental company in the Korea, provides diverse business solutions as a global business partner to customers.\nLogis (pallet)\nAWP & Forklift\nBusiness\nKorea M/S Sales Quantity\n2nd Ranked (32%) 178 M USD 14 M\nApprox. 20,000\nApprox. 300,000\nBusiness\n1st Ranked (19%) 76 M USD 917 million USD\nAffiliated\nIT\nOverseas\nCorporations\nAJ Total\nAJ Daewon\nAJ Maintenance\nPartners\nAJ Energy\nAJ ICT\n1st Ranked (34%) 188 M USD\nUSA, Vietnam, Saudi, Poland, Hungary\nFood & Logistics Facility\nmanagement\nVehicle\nmanagement\nOil distribution\nManagement\nIT Outsourcing\n39 M USD\n20 M USD\n29 M USD\n318 M USD\n33 M USD\nKSCI franchise, Global Cold Chain\n(Vietnam)\nGC management of large leisure\nComplex AI facility management\n230 networks of equipment in Korea\n8 direct gas stations\n32 affiliated gas stations\nOperation of IT Contact Center\n2\n\n<<>>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Georgia\n※ Additional overseas corporations will be established (China, Mexico)\n\n\n\n3\n\n<<>>\n\n3PLs\nReturnable Pallet\n60,000 SF (32%)\n5,574㎡\nOffice\nStorage Rack\n100,000 SF (52%)\n9,290㎡\nIn/Out area\n32,000 SF (16%)\n2,972㎡\n4\n\n<<>>\n\n3. AJ Logis Value USA\nWarehouse Photo\n01\nExterior\nOffice\n03\nStoring space\nay Al LogisValue\n\n<<>>\n\nKD Box for Hyundai GLOVIS\n2\n1 BMA Box for Hyundai MOBIS\nImage\nImage\nPurpose KD Returnable\nPurpose Feeding box for battery process line\nEffect• Saving Cost (Waste of disposable packing)\n• Time efficiency\nEffect• Suitable boxes to process line\nProgress\nDevelopment\n(with GLOVIS) Bidding Awarded Mass Production Progress\nDevelopment\nBidding Awarded\n(with MOBIS) Mass Production\n6\n\n<<>>\n\n4. Packaging product line-up\nName\nReturnable Pallet\nName\nReturnable CKD case\nProduct\nPacked Products\nProduct\nCKD Products\nInside\nInside\nMaterial\nInjection PP\nMaterial\nInjection PP\nDanpla\n(PP Corrugated Sheet)\nSteel\nOutside\nOutside\n11A\n11c\nMedium packaging Box\nLarge packaging Box\nLarge packaging Box\nImage\nImage\n(Light Weight)\n(heavy & large)\n11B\n11D\n12A\n13B\n\n<<>>\n\nRail Gripper\nGuide\n1780mm\nRail\n658mm\n2392mm\n8\n\n<<>>\n\n4. Packaging product line-up\nName\nBattery Storage Rack\nName\nBattery Steel Case\nProduct\nBattery Pack (PHEV, EV)\nProduct\nModule\nInside\nInside\nEPP Foam\nMaterial\nSteel, Rubber, Urethane\nMaterial\nOutside\nOutside\nSteel\n1300x1000x86Rmn\nImage\nImage\n\n<<>>\n\n5. Packaging cleaning facilities\nOperating 43 pallet cleaning facilities in Korea (14 Automatic, 29 Manual)\n10\n\n<<>>\n\nThank you\najnetworks.co.kr\n© AJ Networks Corporation. All rights reserved,\nDisclaimer: This content is general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.","truncated":false,"body_characters":10329}