Final Rule: PHMSA Restricts E-Cigs on Airplanes

Posted on 5/19/2016 by Roger Marks

The US DOT posted a Final Rule to today’s Federal Register to prohibit electronic smoking devices (“vape pens,” e-cigs, e-hookahs, e-pipes, etc.) in checked baggage aboard an airplane. The Rule also prohibits charging e-cigs while on a plane. Electronic “smoking” or “vaping” devices will still be allowed in carry-on baggage. The Final Rule is consistent with an Interrim Final Rule (IFR) PHMSA posted back in October 2015.

The unique hazards of lithium batteries in air transport are well known and have been a central focus of hazardous materials rulemakings for years. In emergency incidents and testing by industry and the US DOT, lithium-ion batteries have shown the potential to enter “thermal runaway”—simply put, they get hotter and hotter until they get set on fire. The fires resulting from lithium battery incidents are so intense that they can overwhelm the fire suppression systems on airplanes, according to Boeing.

New IATA Lithium Battery Air Rules Now Mandatory

In a rare move this year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) directly adopted new restrictions on lithium batteries shipped by air into the 57^th Edition Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). Effective April 1, 2016, the new requirements reflected emergency provisions recommended by the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization and included:

Restricting state-of-charge (SoC) for lithium-ion batteries shipped by air to 30%,
Setting strict limits on the number of packaged allowed per shipment, and
Prohibiting lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft.

On April 7, 2016, the US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a Safety Advisory Notice for individuals who prepare lithium battery shipments for transportation.

Subscribe to Lion News for the latest updates on lithium battery transport regulations for shipments in and out of the US.

Tags: batteries, lithium, new rules, US DOT

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

Lion Technology workshops are amazing!! You always learn so much, and the instructors are fantastic.

Dorothy Rurak

Environmental Specialist

I had a positive experience utilizing this educational program. It was very informative, convenient, and rewarding from a career perspective.

John Gratacos

Logistics Manager

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.

Steve Gall

Safety Leader

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Explore ten hazardous waste management errors that caused generators in California the most trouble last year.

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.