2 Lithium Battery Updates in Major DOT Rule

A rule to align the 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) with international standards will take effect on May 10 and includes several updates related to shipping lithium batteries.

Updates in this rule for air or vessel transportation only have been in effect internationally for a year or more already as part of the IATA DGR and/or the IMDG Code. This DOT rule also includes two key rule changes for shippers of lithium batteries by highway and/or rail. 

No Longer Required: Phone # on Lithium Battery Mark

The battery mark pictured at right includes space for two pieces of information—a UN identification number (*) and a phone number to call for more information about the shipment (**). 

This rule removes the requirement to include a phone number on the lithium battery mark. Highway and rail shippers may continue to use the mark with a phone number until December 31, 2026. 

See the full Final Rule in the Federal Register. 

No Longer Required: Test Summary for Button Cells Installed in Equipment 

For lithium battery manufacturers and distributors, US DOT added an exception to the Test Summary requirement for buttons cells installed in equipment manufactured on or after January 1, 2008, including circuit boards.  

A lithium battery Test Summary is a document detailing the rigorous testing that lithium batteries go through before they can be offered into transportation. The requirement for manufacturers and distributors to make a Test Summary available to downstream shippers and consumers took effect in 2020. 

More From the Final Rule ​​​​​​

The updates for lithium battery shippers are only a fraction of the revisions in DOT’s recent rule to harmonize the hazmat regulations with international standards. Regulators also added or revised provisions related to hazmat special provisions, classification of corrosive materials, gas cylinders, self-reactive materials, and consumer commodities. 

Lion Members can see a summary of revised provisions from the Final Rule in the Member Bulletin posted to Lion.com/Members in April 2024.

Online Training to Ship Lithium Batteries 

Get trusted step-by-step training to ship lithium batteries in full compliance with the latest US and international regulations for ground, air, and vessel transportation. Learn online at your own pace with the Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course. Or check out the schedule of instructor-led webinars and join us live.  

 

Tags: lithium batteries