PRBA - UN Boosts Battery-Powered Vehicles

Associations Remind U.S. DOT of Legal Obligations in Light of Extensive Comments Filed on Lithium Battery Rulemaking

On April 7, 2010, a letter prepared by PRBA was sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of General Counsel requesting that they take steps to assure the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) fully complies with its legal obligations in considering the extensive comments filed on the Agency's proposed rulemaking on lithium batteries. The letter also was signed by numerous trade associations, organizations and companies concerned about the lithium battery rulemaking. The letter reminds the DOT's General Counsel of PHMSA's requirements under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and the other authorities that bear on the lawfulness of any final rule promulgated by the Agency.

Click here to download a coy of the letter.

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PRBA Urges PHMSA to Reject Lithium Battery Rulemaking And Adopt Internationally Recognized Transport Regulations

Washington, D.C. —PRBA- The Rechargeable Battery Association has recommended that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration drop its proposed rule on the air shipment of lithium cells and batteries and instead adopt the International Civil Aviation Organization requirements in effect since 2009 but never implemented in the United States.

"Only by bringing U.S. regulations up to the current international standards will PHMSA be taking appropriate, legally sustainable action," PRBA said in its March 12 filing with the agency. PHMSA announced its proposed rule on transportation of lithium batteries on Jan. 8, 2010.

"PRBA remains strongly committed to safety," said George Kerchner, PRBA’s executive director. “But this rule would not address the principal cause for concern—non-compliance by shippers with existing transport regulations—while imposing unacceptable costs on all Americans."

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ICAO Agrees to Adopt PRBA Lithium Battery Proposals, Rejects Pilots Association Proposals

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) met in Montreal, Canada on October 5 -16, 2009 to complete their work on amending the ICAO Technical Instructions on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Approximately 110 papers were filed with DGP, including 24 papers related to lithium batteries. Four PRBA proposals were adopted by the DGP. PRBA also was successful in securing reasonable changes to the lithium battery Packing Instructions. The changes adopted during this meeting will go into effect on January 1, 2011. [more]

UN Panel Adopts PRBA Proposal

United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods has endorsed a major PRBA initiative by modifying the international testing requirements for rechargeable lithium cells and batteries [more]

The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association Supports DOT Prohibition on Spare Lithium Batteries in Checked Baggage

The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association today announced its support for new Department of Transportation rules that prohibit airline passengers from packing spare lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries and lithium ion rechargeable batteries in checked baggage but allow travelers to bring spare batteries in carry-on luggage

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UN Boosts Battery-Powered Vehicles

New UN Testing Requirements for Large Lithium Ion Batteries

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Washingtonâ€”A United Nations panel that met in Geneva, Switzerland, in early December voted unanimously to adopt a proposal by the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association that revises UN testing requirements for the transport of large-format lithium ion batteries that have emerged as the fuel of choice for the latest generation of hybrid and electric vehicles.

The approval of the new testing requirements by the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods will facilitate the shipment of large-format lithium batteries by battery companies and vehicle manufacturers. The UNâ€™s existing test criteria failed to properly distinguish between smaller lithium-ion batteries in consumer products such as mobile phones and the large-format lithium ion batteries used by the aerospace, automobile, telecommunications industries and the military.

Demand for large-format lithium ion batteries has skyrocketed in recent years. Yet outmoded international battery tests have proven a little-known impediment to the deployment of large-format lithium ion batteries.

The UN Subcommittee last updated its testing requirements for lithium ion batteries in 2000, when the regulatory focus was almost entirely on the smaller lithium ion cells and batteries that powered the consumer electronics revolution. Eight years ago, few experts anticipated either the significant improvements in lithium-ion battery technology or the widespread demand for large-format batteries.

â€œThe testing criteria for large-format lithium ion batteries approved by the UN Subcommittee reflect recent scientific advances and will help stimulate the global development of â€œgreenâ€ products,â€ said PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner. â€œLarge-format lithium ion batteries play a critical role in ongoing international efforts to address global warming and curb our addiction to carbon-based fuels.â€

About PRBA

The members of PRBA power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient, and essential power source for portable electronic equipment such notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, and MP3 players as well as hybrid and electric vehicles. PRBA members produce more than half of the worldâ€™s lithium-ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nationâ€™s authoritative source for information on rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org