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shipped in a single package than if they
were considered batteries.
5. A new Class 9 hazard label was adopted
for lithium batteries. It contains a pic-
togram of batteries on the standard Class 9
label. This new label will become effective
January 1, 2019, however can be used vol-
untarily starting January 1, 2017.
6. Several changes were adopted for the ship-
ment of prototype or low-production-run
batteries contained in equipment, including
the following:
a.Authorization to transport prototype and
low-production lithium batteries con-
tained in equipment, which were not
previously addressed by the regulations;
b.Authorization to use Packing Group II
(PGII) packaging including 4G fiber-
board boxes;
c. Clarification of short circuit protection
requirements;
d.New provisions that clarify the applica-
ble packing instructions for transport-
ing damaged and defective lithium-ion
batteries as well as waste lithium-ion
batteries.
In addition to these new provisions, there
were a number of items that were identified
for further discussion in 2015. These include
the following:
1. Discussion was opened based on a proposal
to raise the lithium-ion battery exception
limit to 300Wh from the current 100Wh
limit under the special provision for small
lithium batteries.
2. Testing requirements applicable to power
packs
3. Definitions of cells and batteries in the
transportation regulations in relation to
those used in the IEC standards related to
lithium batteries
4. Standardized declarations of conformity
with the UN tests
5. Development of a database of declarations
6. Testing requirements related to large cells
used in small batteries
The items adopted by the subcommittee
will be reviewed by the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous
Goods Panel as well as the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) and decisions
made on how to incorporate them into the
ICAO Technical Instruction and the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods
(IMDG) Code. The above noted changes
will affect all modes of transportation of
lithium batteries as they are adopted by the
international organizations and various local
regulation authorities.
MARCH 2015 •
PPB
• 81
Cindy Millsaps is president and
CEO of Energy Assurance,
LLC. She has worked in global
regulatory approvals, quality
systems management, product
safety and product qualifica-
tion testing with emphasis on
information technology equip-
ment, power/energy and bat-
teries. In addition to advising
her clients, she serves on
Underwriters Laboratories
Standards Technical Panel for
UL 1642 and UL 2054 where
decisions are made that impact
the future of the industry. She
was a presenter at the PPAI
2014 Product Safety Summit.