Testing…1…2…3

Are Your Lithium Battery Test Summaries Ready?

As I am sure many of you know the 60^th edition of IATA (International Air Transportation Association) brought about some big changes for 2019 and 2020. If you haven’t already heard, check out some of the highlights in our previous article “Lithium Battery Changes You Need to Know.” With 2020 right around the corner we thought we should focus on a change set to take effect January 1, 2020. Starting the new year, manufacturers and distributors of lithium cells, batteries, and equipment powered by these types of batteries, must make available a lithium battery test summary. This test summary applies to lithium cells and batteries manufactured after June 30, 2003 and the equipment powered by those cells and batteries.

Manufacturers and subsequent distributors have several options on how they make readily available these test summaries. They may:

1. Post it on the company website or
2. Preparing a paper document

These test summaries provide crucial safety information for both shippers and consumers. The requirements of what must go into a test summary can be found in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Amendment 1, Part III, sub-section 38.3, paragraph 38.3.5. It was also included in IATA’s 2019 Lithium Battery Guidance Document, Revision 1 (Transportation of Lithium Metal and Lithium Ion Batteries). Below you will find the required information for each test summary in accordance with sub-section 38.3.

The UN Committee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods has also provided some examples of test summary documents prepared by members of the Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA) to help guide you. It is also worth noting that the upcoming 49 CFR harmonization encompasses the lithium battery test summary requirements set forth in the proposed rulemaking HM 215-O.

If some or all of this sounds confusing to you, you’re not alone. That’s why TCA has taken the guess work out the “who does this apply to, what is new, and how do I comply with the new regulations” in our supplemental Lithium Battery course. It is designed to meet function –specific training requirements and acts as a great addition to the DOT, IATA, and IMDG certification trainings for your multimodal lithium cell and battery needs.

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