IATA Posts Addendum I to 57th Edition DGR

The 57^th edition IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) has been in effect for hazmat air shippers since January 1, 2016. Today, January 19, IATA posted its first Addendum to the 57^th edition to revise and clarify the DGR manual.

In addition to revisions to State and operator variations, the Addendum makes significant changes to standards for identifying, packaging, and offering dangerous goods for air transport. As is par for the course lately, the rules for shipping lithium batteries continue to change.



The lithium battery updates in the new DGR Addendum are a result of new international standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and represent the final step of a rulemaking process Lion News has tracked since pre-ICAO meetings started in October last year.  

Section 2: Identifying IATA Dangerous Goods

Changes to Section 2 of the 57^th edition IATA DGR include:

An update to Table 2.3.A—Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passengers or Crew adds a line stating “Articles which have the primary purpose as a power source, e.g. power banks are considered as spare batteries.”

Also, it requires operator approval for heat-producing articles like underwater torches (driving lamps) and soldering irons.

Section 4: IATA Dangerous Goods Identification

In Section 4, IATA added new entries to the Dangerous Goods Table (4.2) for two materials:

• 1, 3, 2-Benzodioxaborole
• Catecholborane

These substances are listed under a newly added Special Provision, SP A210. Materials shipped under A210 are forbidden for transport by air and may be transported on cargo aircraft only with prior approval from the appropriate authorities.

Section 5: Packing Dangerous Goods for Air Shipment

A change to Packing Instruction 492 for cells and batteries containing sodium (UN 3292) adds that “metal packagings must be corrosion-resistant or be protected against corrosion” to the compatibility requirements and requires  packagings to meet PG II performance standards.
It further changes Packing Instruction PI 952 for battery-powered equipment and battery-powered vehicles:

“Lithium batteries identified by the manufacturer as being defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, that have the potential of producing a dangerous evolution of heat, fire or short circuit are forbidden for transport (e.g., those being returned to the manufacturer for safety reasons).”

Shipping Lithium Batteries at 30% State-of-Charge (SoC)

Effective April 1, 2016, lithium-ion cells and batteries must be offered for transport at a state-of-charge not exceeding 30% of their rated design capacity. Cells and/or batteries at a state-of-charge of greater than 30% may only be shipped with the approval of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator under the written conditions established by those authorities.

Section II Lithium Batteries

IATA has added two new requirements for shippers of Section II lithium batteries. While Section II lithium battery shipments are not subject to most of the dangerous goods requirements, there are some rules that shippers still must follow. In addition to the requirements already laid out, lithium battery shippers must now follow the IATA rules for:

• “Restrictions on dangerous good in consolidations” (1.3.3.2.3 and 1.3.3.2.6)
• “Use of unit load devices” (5.0.1.3)   

And:

•  Starting April 1, the 30% limit on state-of-charge will also apply to Section II lithium batteries.
• A shipper will not be permitted to offer for transport more than one (1) package of Section II lithium batteries in a single consignment. 
• No more than one Section II package may be placed in an overpack.
• Packages and overpacks of Section II lithium batteries must be offered to the operator separately from cargo not subject to DGR instructions and must not be loaded into a unit load device being offered to the operator.

See the Full Addendum I to the 57th Ed. DGR here. 

Keep Your Lithium Battery Shipments in Compliance

Gain clarity on the constantly changing rules for lithium battery and keep your shipments in compliance. The Shipping Lithium Batteries Webinar is presented live by an expert instructor and is designed to cover the latest rules for lithium-ion and lithium-metal battery shippers.

Whether you ship batteries alone, in equipment, or with equipment by ground, air, or vessel, the upcoming webinar will help you build a step-by-step approach to classifying, packaging, marking, and labeling lithium battery shipments for acceptance by any carrier. 

Tags: hazmat, IATA, lithium batteries, new rules, shipping