Advisor, mandatory and responsible

Drawing on our many years of experience in Europe and abroad, we are now turning our attention to a critical issue: transport containers for used lithium batteries or batteries awaiting repair.

Customers frequently interpret standards in such a way as to minimize their logistical requirements. It’s for this reason that we’ve entitled this article “Advisor, mandatory and responsible”.

Responsibility: Professionalism and Commitment

Being responsible means first and foremost demonstrating professionalism by adapting equipment to the real risks. It also means anticipating the regulatory framework: in the event of a declared incident or fire, analysis of the causes will inevitably determine legal and financial responsibilities.

Responsibility is both operational and moral. It is therefore crucial never to underestimate the container in relation to the real need for safety.

• Case 1: Routine logistics. If you regularly transport the same types of batteries with the same power ratings, it’s possible to optimize costs. By following strict protocols and validated certifications (such as P903-approved cardboard packaging), you can significantly reduce the cost of containers (sometimes by a factor of 10) while remaining compliant.

• Case 2: The multi-reference flow. Conversely, if batteries come from a variety of sources, lack traceability or are of varying power, the use of simple P903 boxes becomes risky, even if it seems theoretically possible. Lack of technical data and uncertainty as to the cause of failure call for more robust solutions, such as P908/P911 or LP904/LP906.

To sum up: a major brand managing its own battery fleet may opt for the first option. A company dealing with batteries from a wide variety of sources needs to opt for reinforced containment solutions.

The tip: Adjust to avoid suffering

The role of the advisor is essential in raising awareness of the risks involved. Getting support from a specialist organization helps you strike the right balance: never overestimate costs unnecessarily, but never underestimate the danger. A precise study of your flows helps to secure your supply chain while protecting your liability.

Obligation: A framework often misinterpreted

Regulatory obligation is a complex subject, as it is often called into question after the fact, once an incident has occurred. It’s a dangerous calculation to seek to minimize requirements by lightly interpreting the law. Technical support is the best way to minimize these risks.

Current situation and outlook

We take a nuanced look at current collection and recycling solutions. In our view, some certified organizations are playing a dangerous game by massively increasing collections without rigorous risk assessment.

At present, final responsibility lies with the sender. It is therefore essential for every company to set up a rigorous internal organization. Not only does this reduce equipment costs, it also helps prevent major incidents.