What's In the New Lithium Battery Test Summary Document?

Posted on 7/22/2019 by Roger Marks

Starting January 1, 2020, manufacturers and distributors of lithium cells and batteries (and equipment powered by lithium cells or batteries) must make available a lithium battery testing summary that provides critical safety information about their batteries to downstream shippers and consumers.

The test summary requirement applies to lithium batteries and cells manufactured after June 30, 2003, and equipment powered by those cells and batteries.

As lithium battery regulations have become more complex, shippers need more information about the batteries they ship in order to maintain compliance. The testing summary requirement will also help lithium battery shippers gain confidence that the batteries they offer for transport have been manufactured and tested properly.

Manufacturers and distributors may make the test summary available by posting it on a company website or by preparing a paper document.

Lion offers convenient, effective training for employees who prepare lithium batteries for transport by ground, air, or vessel. Check out the Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course now.

What’s Required in the Lithium Battery Test Summary?

The text of the new requirement can be found in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Amendment 1, Part III, sub-section 38.3, paragraph 38.3.5 and includes a list of specific information that must be included on the test summary document.

The information required in the lithium battery test summary document was included in IATA’s updated 2019 Lithium Battery Guidance Document, Revision 1, and is pictured below.

The UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods has provided examples of test summary documents prepared by members of the Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA).

Lastly, the new lithium battery test summary requirement is part of the forthcoming 49 CFR harmonization rulemaking HM 215-O.

Training to Ship Lithium Batteries Big or Small

Need hazmat training to safely ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel? Lion’s popular Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course is updated regularly to cover the latest regulations you must know under 49 CFR, the IATA DGR, and the IMDG Code.

New! Ship excepted lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel? We’ve got a course just for you! The new Shipping Excepted Lithium Batteries Online Course will help you identify the requirements you must know, without getting bogged down or confused by rules for fully regulated lithium batteries.

Tags: hazmat shipping, lithium batteries, lithium battery test summary, new rules, shipping lithium batteries

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Your hazmat paperwork is the first thing a DOT inspector will ask for during an inspection. From hazmat training records to special permits, make sure your hazmat documents are in order.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.