Addendum II to the 2023 IATA DGR Released

IATA released its second add-on ("addendum") to the current Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), the 64^th Edition, in effect as of January 1, 2023. IATA issues these updates to the DGR to correct errors, add or remove restrictions, and clarify the regulations for air shippers.

Addendum II features two updates of relevance to shippers of portable electronic devices (including medical devices) and of battery-powered vehicles or equipment. 

Batteries in Portable Electronic Devices (Including Medical Devices)

In Section 2 of the DGR, IATA revised the requirements for shipping portable electronic devices (PED) containing batteries and spare batteries (2.3.5.8) to add an exception. These devices are no longer required to be “completely switched off” if the batteries in the device do not exceed:

• 0.3 grams (for metal), or
• 2.7 Watt hours (for lithium-ion).

Correction: DGR Packing Instruction 952

IATA corrected paragraph (b)(2) of Packing Instruction 952—for Battery-powered equipment and Battery-powered vehicle (UN 3171), adding the following text:

“Lithium batteries which have been removed from the vehicle and are packaged separate from the vehicle in the same outer packaging must be offered for transport as UN 3481, Lithium ion batteries packaged with equipment or UN 3091, Lithium metal batteries packaged with equipment and packed according to Packing Instruction 966 or 969, as applicable.”

Updated Operator Variations

Besides the two changes related to lithium batteries, Addendum II consists mostly of amendments to Operator Variations put in place by air carriers around the globe. IATA posted Addendum I to the 2023 IATA DGR (th Edition)—linked below—in December last year. 

This Month: Lithium Battery Shipper Training

For lithium battery shippers, the next Shipping Lithium Batteries Webinar happens on April 27. That live, four-hour course includes general awareness, security awareness, and function-specific training to ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel using 49 CFR, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code regulations.

Lion's Shipping Lithium Batteries training also includes a free Lithium Battery Safety online course to help satisfy DOT safety training and/or OSHA requirements for employees who handle lithium batteries.