IATA Releases Updated Operator Variations for 2017 DGR

The Council on the Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA) yesterday shared an update from the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, regarding revisions to the Operator Variations for hazardous materials/dangerous goods air shipments. This update is not a formal addendum, according to IATA, and makes no changes to the regulatory provisions in the 58^th Edition DGR.

However, if you ship with FedEx Express or UPS Air, be advised that the 2017 DGR operator variations hold some crucial updates. Earlier this month, Lion News reported on some major updates to Operator Variations from FedEx Express and UPS Air, which affect the shipment of lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries by air.

VIDEO: See the changes for lithium batteries by air via FedEx Express and UPS in 2017.

UPS IATA DGR Operator Variations

Starting January 1, 2017, UPS will no longer accept stand-alone lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries prepared under Section II of the applicable IATA packing instruction (PI). Instead, these shipments must be prepared under Section IA or IB of the IATA PI.

This language has been added in a number of places within the UPS operator variations.

FedEx Express IATA DGR Operator Variations

FedEx will also stop accepting stand-alone Section II lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries as of January 1, 2017. These shipments must now be prepared under Section IA or Section IB packing instructions for “fully regulated” lithium batteries.

FedEx Express has updated operator variation FX-05 to clarify that “when the lithium battery handling label is applied to packages/overpacks for Section IB and Section II shipments, the applicable UN numbers must be marked on the package adjacent to the lithium battery handling label.”

See the updates to the IATA Operator Variations for 2017 here.

Need a copy of the 58^th Edition IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) for 2017? The new DGR is now available in the Lion.com bookstore.

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Tags: Air, hazmat, IATA, new rules, shipments