The complexity of the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations for lithium. Batteries require increasing attention from those who ship them. Class 9 – Lithium batteries are classified as “Dangerous Goods” in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
| Modèle de Régulation UN | Les Recommandations concernant le transport de tous types de marchandises dangereuses ont été élaborées par le Comité d'experts sur le transport des marchandises dangereuses du Conseil économique et social des Nations Unies dans le but d'assurer la sécurité des personnes, des biens et de l'environnement. Elles s'appliquent à tous les modes de transport et s'adressent aux gouvernements et aux organisations internationales concernés par la réglementation du transport des marchandises dangereuses. Elles sont publiées dans les « Recommandations relatives au transport des marchandises dangereuses — Règlement type ». |
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| Manuel d'épreuves et de critères UN | Le Manuel des tests et critères des Nations Unies est élaboré par le Comité du Conseil économique et social des Nations Unies d'experts sur le transport des marchandises dangereuses et publié dans un manuel séparé dans les « Recommandations sur le Transport des marchandises dangereuses — Manuel d'épreuves et de critères ». |
| ADR | L'Accord relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par route est conforme à la “Recommandations sur le transport des marchandises dangereuses—Règlement type”. L'ADR est un accord entre États et conformément à la directive européenne 2008/68/CE s'applique au niveau national dans les États membres sur l'Union européenne |
| IMDG | Le Code maritime international des marchandises dangereuses (IMDG) est préparé par l'Organisation maritime internationale – OMI et est conforme aux « Recommandations relatives au transport des marchandises dangereuses – Modèle Règlements". Le Code IMDG harmonise les pratiques et procédures suivies dans le transport de marchandises dangereuses par mer et veille au respect des dispositions impératives de la Convention SOLAS (International Convention pour la sauvegarde de la vie humaine en mer) et de l'annexe III de MARPOL (Convention internationale pour la prévention de la pollution par les navires). |
| IATA ---------- ICAO | L'Organisation de l'aviation civile internationale (OACI) élabore des règlements pour la sécurité du transport des marchandises par voie aérienne par tout aéronef (y compris les transports intérieurs et extérieurs) sur la base des Recommandations sur le Transport des marchandises dangereuses—Règlement type. Les règlements de l'OACI sont codifiés à l'annexe 18 de la Convention relative à l'aviation civile internationale et dans ses Instructions techniques pour la sécurité du transport aérien des marchandises dangereuses (OACI – TI) et sont reconnus comme seule source légale authentique dans le transport aérien de marchandises dangereuses. Édition applicable ! Instruction technique OACI édition 2023-2024 L'Association du transport aérien international (IATA) publie le Règlement sur les marchandises dangereuses (IATA DGR) sur la base des exigences de l'annexe 18 de la convention relative à l'aviation civile internationale et des Instructions techniques pour la sécurité du transport aérien des marchandises dangereuses, publiées par l'OACI. IATA DGR constitue un manuel des réglementations des transporteurs de l'industrie à suivre par toutes les compagnies aériennes membres de l'IATA. Là existe certaines différences entre les réglementations de l'IATA et de l'OACI qui découlent de considérations opérationnelles et aboutissent à un régime réglementaire nécessairement plus restrictif que les exigences de l'OACI. L'IATA Les réglementations intègrent également du matériel supplémentaire d'assistance pratique aux utilisateurs. |
1.1 How to use this manual
This manual is designed to provide a quick and efficient guide for personnel who need to prepare a shipment of new or used lithium cells and batteries by road, sea or air.
It consists of two parts.
The first part describes and summarizes the regulatory aspects applicable to the transport of lithium batteries, introducing the basic concepts of the transport of dangerous goods, the duties they impose on producers, distributors and users; it also provides a guide to using the manual to give the user the necessary information.
In the second part, summary sheets are provided for the three modes of transport. This information is condensed on a single page. On the opposite page, images and flowcharts illustrate how to carry out packaging requirements in practice, guiding the user step by step to prepare the right shipment, in compliance with regulations.
Battery manufacturers have specific compliance obligations during production, and batteries successfully tested in accordance with the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria can be transported and placed on the market.
The United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria, updated periodically, imposes several requirements on shippers of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries. Producers, distributors, users, waste managers, recyclers, all those who ship new or used lithium batteries, or even damaged and defective ones, or who ship them, with or without repackaging, are obliged to comply with the regulations applicable to the different modes of transport: road, sea and air. For each shipment, you need to know how to prepare the batteries, what packaging is authorized, how to mark and label the packages, and what documents to prepare to accompany the shipment.
In addition, shippers must take into account the specific requirements of each mode of transport. The provisions applicable in the different modes of transport may differ, as they are adapted to ensure maximum safety during transport.
This means that regulators have introduced special provisions, restrictions and limitations, or other exemptions and exclusions, with the result that the regulatory framework for the transport of lithium batteries has become even more complex.
This manual will provide a six-step decision path that gives users access to the information they need to prepare lithium batteries for transport with the appropriate packaging shipping papers, markings and labels. These six steps are shown schematically, for new batteries, in the following flowchart.
- Cell or battery
Cell: a single encapsulated electrochemical unit (one positive and one negative)
Battery: electrode) with a voltage differential between its two terminals.
| Année | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 1-Jul | 1-Jul | 1-Jul | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volonté ADR 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ADR 2019 | Volonté | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ADR 2021 | Volonté | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ADR 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maritime | 1-Jun | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volonté | IDMG Code 39-18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volonté | IDMG Code 40-20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volonté | IDMG Code 41-22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AIR | IATA DGR 2019 | IATA DGR 2020 | IATA DGR 2021 | IATA DGR 2022 | IATA DGR 2023 | IATA DGR 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
Lithium Metal or Lithium Ion
There are many different types of lithium batteries, differing in the nature and composition of the electrode materials, the substances present in the electrolyte and the ability to convert chemical energy into electricity.
However, for the purposes of regulations on the transport of dangerous goods, the classification of lithium batteries has been reduced to two groups: lithium metal and lithium ion.
Lithium metal batteries, including lithium metal alloys, are made up of cells and batteries containing lithium in metallic form. They are used to power small electrical consumers and appliances such as watches, cameras, calculators, etc. They can also be assembled in large batteries, e.g. in the drill heads of oil platforms.
| Identifiez si vous avez une Cellule ou une batterie Li Ion ou Li Metal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Etape 1 | Pile ou batterie au lithium métal | Cellule ou batterie lithium-ion | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Etape 2 | Déterminer la teneur en lithium | Déterminer la cote Wh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conditions d'expédition | Conditions d'expédition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Etape 3 | Comme piles | Contenu dans l'équipement | Emballé avec équipement | Comme piles | Contenu dans l'équipement | Emballé avec équipement | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Liste des fiches récapitulatives des modes d'expédition permettant d'identifier le chapitre pertinent de ce manuel applicable à votre transport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Etape 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.1.1 Cellule - 2.1.4 Batteries | 2.1.2 Cellule - 2.1.5 Batteries | 2.1.3 Cellule - 2.1.6 Batteries | 2.2.1 Cellule - 2.2.4 Batteries | 2.2.2 Cellule - 2.2.5 Batteries | 2.2.3 Cellule - 2.2.6 Batteries | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Etape 5 | En suivant l'organigramme à l'intérieur de chaque chapitre répertorié ci-dessus, identifiez la feuille récapitulative du mode d'expédition applicable à votre transport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Etape 6 | Selon teneur en lithium + pile ou batterie + Quantité par colis : Entièrement réglementé Petit partiellement excepté Petit Sauf | Accordé selon la teneur en lithium + cellule ou batterie + quantité par conditionnement Réglementé excepté faible quantité | Accordé selon la teneur en lithium + cellule ou batterie Réglementé excepté faible quantité | Accordé selon capacité Wh + cellule ou batterie + quantité par carton Réglementé excepté faible quantité | Accordé selon capacité Wh + cellule ou batterie Réglementé excepté faible quantité | Accordé selon capacité Wh + cellule ou batterie Réglementé excepté faible quantité | |||||||||||||||||||||
Step 2
Evaluate and confirm
– Wh rating for lithium-ion cells and batteries
– Lithium content in grams in lithium metal cells and batteries
Step 3
Decide whether to ship :
- Batteries as batteries,
- Cells and batteries contained in equipment or
- Batteries and cells packed with equipment
Step 4
Go to chapter § 2 of this manual, and following the table of battery characteristics, identify your transportation requirements according to the 18 groups listed in step 4 of the table.
Step 5
Go to the first sheet of the identified group and according to the Flow Chart with the collected data, identify the specific summary sheet related to your transport needs for the given types of batteries to be shipped.
Step 6
Use the information on the summary sheet from top to bottom, the relevant provisions have been included in the summary sheet in a logical and practical way. Differences in road, sea and air transport and packaging requirements have been identified by different background colors and highlighted step by step.
Lithium-ion batteries, including the lithium-ion polymer battery, consist of cells and batteries containing lithium in ionic form. They are used in consumer electronics, such as cell phones, laptops, tablets and MP3 players. In larger sizes, they are used to power cordless power tools, electric bicycles, electric or hybrid vehicles, energy storage and many other industrial applications.
The two groups of lithium batteries, lithium-metal and lithium-ion, exhibit different hazards and are therefore assigned to two different UN dangerous goods entries
Regulations. The regulations also take into account transport and packaging.
Require such batteries installed in equipment or packaged with equipment:
ONU 3090 LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES
A 3091 LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT
3091 LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES PACKAGED WITH THE EQUIPMENT
ONU 3480 LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
A 3481 LITHIUM BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT
A 3481 LITHIUM BATTERIES PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT
UN number,
- Q) UN number,
- b) Correct shipping name,
- c) Class
- d) Packaging group
Q} Hazard label
1′) Prerequisite, compliance with general requirements
- g) Specific requirements
- h) Exemption conditions
- i) Packing instructions
j} Authorized packaging
- R) Quantity and weight limits
I} Provisions applicable to road transport [i.e. tunnel code, transport category, road transport exemptions].
m]Marking and labeling on packages
- n) Labels and markings
o] Specific transport document required
- p) Staff instructions
Images show an example of practical packaging preparation for shipping: how to protect batteries from short circuits, check and use outer packaging, label and mark packages.
Example of a six-step method: Lithium metal cell, with a Li content of 4.5 g/cell, packed in batteries, transported by road
Definitions
“ADR” refers to the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road.
“Approved packaging” refers to packaging manufactured under a quality assurance program that satisfies the competent authority and conforms to the prototype that has passed specific tests.
“Automotive battery” means any battery used for starting, lighting or ignition of a motor vehicle;
“Industrial battery” means any battery designed for industrial or professional use or used in any type of electric vehicle.
“Battery” means two or more cells which are electrically connected together and equipped with devices necessary for use, e.g. housing, terminals, marking and protection devices. A single lithium battery cell is considered a “cell”.
“Battery” means any set of primary or rechargeable cells or batteries which are connected together and/or encapsulated in an outer casing so as to form a complete unit which the end user is not intended to split or open.
Note: “Battery packs”, “modules” or “battery assemblies” whose primary function is to provide a power source for another piece of equipment, for the purposes of this manual are treated as batteries.
“Button cell” means any small round portable battery or accumulator whose diameter is greater than its height.
“Cell” means a single electrochemical unit (one positive and one negative electrode) with a voltage differential between its two terminals.
Note: Under the International Dangerous Goods Regulations and the Manual of Tests and Criteria, insofar as the built-in electrochemical unit meets the definition of “cell”, it is a “cell”, not a “battery”, regardless of whether the unit qualifies as a “battery” or a “single-cell battery” apart from
a consignment means any person, organization or government entitled to take delivery of regulations and the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.
“Recipient
transportation; means any person, organization or government that prepares a shipment for “Shipper”.
“IATA DGR” means the International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations.
“IMDG Code” means the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code,
“Large packaging” means a packaging consisting of an outer packaging which contains articles or an inner packaging and which
- a) is designed for mechanical handling
- b) exceeds a net mass of 400 kg or a capacity of 450 liters but has a volume not exceeding 3 m3
Lithium metal batteries” use lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode. The most common type of lithium battery used in consumer applications are primary batteries using lithium metal as the anode and manganese dioxide as the cathode, with a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent.
Lithium-ion batteries” (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a type of (rechargeable) battery commonly used in consumer electronics. Also included in lithium-ion batteries are lithium polymer batteries.
“Lithium battery”: in this manual, the term “lithium battery” covers all cells and batteries containing lithium in any form whatsoever.
“Manual of Tests and Criteria” means the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods,
Manual of tests and criteria, published by the United Nations.
“Overpack” means an envelope used to contain one or more packages, grouped together in a single unit that is easier to handle and store during transport;
“Package” means the complete product of the packaging operation, consisting of the packaging and its contents prepared for shipment.
Shipper” has the same meaning as “sender”.
“Single cell battery” as defined in Part III, sub-section 38.3.2.3 of the Manual of Tests and Criteria is considered a “cell” and must be transported in accordance with “cell” requirements.
“UN Model Regulations” means the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
Model regulations published by the United Nations.
“waste” means substances, solutions, mixtures or articles for which no direct use is envisaged but which are transported for reprocessing, landfill, disposal by incineration or other methods of disposal.
Words “shall”, “should” and “may”: in the International Transport Regulations, the words “shall”, “should” and “may” mean that the relevant provisions are “mandatory”, “recommended” and “optional”, respectively.