PPB December

64 / 108

purposes. One additional clarification needed
is on the difference between a cell and a bat-
tery. The terms are often used interchangeably
by sellers and consumers but the definitions
are different.
Cell Versus Battery
By definition, a cell is a single encased
electrochemical unit with one positive and
one negative electrode that exhibits a voltage
differential across its two terminals. A cell
cannot be fitted directly into an end device
and work properly without additional circuitry
or a means of connection or circuitry.
Basically, a cell is a component of a battery.
A battery is defined as one or more cells
electrically connected and fitted with a device
necessary for its use. Devices may include an
enclosure, safety circuit or connector. The pri-
mary function of a battery is to provide
power to another piece of equipment.
These definitions alone reveal why there
is so much confusion about how to classify
power packs for shipping, and how to deter-
mine whether a product has a cell or a battery
contained within it. The testing requirements
under the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria
(UN 38.3/T1-T8) are different for cells and
batteries as well, so making this distinction is
critical.
Buyer Beware: Obtain Transportation
Documentation
When you order a lithium-ion power
pack directly through a supplier, transporta-
tion compliance must be addressed. Lithium-
ion rechargeable power packs have trans-
portation regulations that vary by geography
and mode of travel such as air, land or sea. It
is your responsibility to ask your supplier for
documentation that demonstrates the mini-
mal lithium-ion transportation requirements
have been met. For example, cells and batter-
ies must be manufactured under a quality
management system. To verify compliance,
ask for a valid ISO certificate that includes
the design and/or manufacture of lithium-ion
batteries or cells, or of USB chargers. The
ISO certificate should not be for something
unrelated to your product such as a computer,
MP3 player or electronic toys. The cells and
batteries must also be compliant with the
testing requirements of the UN Manual of
Tests and Criteria and must be appropriately
packaged, labeled and documented.
What makes power packs unique for
transportation compliance is that they are
defined as cells or batteries contained in
equipment. This means they are subject to a
much less stringent set of shipping require-
ments than if they were individual cells or
batteries. The definition of each type must be
fully understood to guarantee compliance at
all levels.
The cost of not complying with trans-
portation regulations is often greater to your
bottom line than the cost of completing the
necessary testing and verifying compliance
with the appropriate packing instructions.
Consequences of not complying can include
civil and/or criminal penalties, product liability
claims, state attorney general actions, con-
sumer class actions, shareholder liabilities and
reputation management issues.
Imagine this scenario: Your electronics
client, a respected industry leader, takes your
recommendation of a branded lithium-ion
power pack for his giveaway at a large indus-
try event. Thousands of these power packs, or
chargers, are distributed to visitors at your
client’s booth. The charger overheats and
causes damage to someone’s carry-on bag.
And that someone happens to work for your
client’s No. 1 competitor.
Transportation Compliance Webinar
For a comprehensive presentation with
detailed explanations on the regulations
related to transportation requirements of
lithium-ion battery packs, watch PPAI’s
webinar, Global Shipping Regulations For
Lithium Ion Power Packs. Search for it
under Transporting Electronics by selecting
Education and E-learning at
60 • PPB • DECEMBER 2014 THINK
Top 10 Considerations
When Transporting Tech
Products
1.Does the product contain a bat-
tery or cell to power the
device?
2.Should the device be consid-
ered a battery or cell, or a
piece of equipment that con-
tains a battery or cell, or a bat-
tery or cell shipped with
equipment?
3.Has appropriate testing been
completed on the internal cell
or battery in the device, and
can proper documentation be
provided?
4.Is the battery or cell manufac-
tured under an appropriate
quality management system?
5.Are there multiple constructions
of the product? Does the sup-
plier allow for substitutions of
critical components?
6.If critical substitutions are
allowed, are the new construc-
tions covered by the testing
report provided on the product?
7.Are the packages used to ship
the product appropriately sturdy
for the shipping method and the
weight of the devices?
8.Are the packages appropriately
labeled and documented for
shipment under local and inter-
national laws and regulations?
9.Are the devices packaged to
prevent inadvertent shorting
out or activation of the device
during shipment?
10. Have the shipping regulations
changed in a way that affects
the product?
The cost of not complying with transportation
regulations is often greater to your bottom line
than the cost of completing the necessary testing
and verifying compliance with the appropriate
packing instructions. “
”
201412_ProductSafety_PPB 2013 11/14/14 9:12 AM Page 60