At the beginning of this year, new regulations governing the air shipping of lithium batteries went into effect. These regulations have affected any shippers of Lithium Batteries as well as airline carriers. While shippers have been in the process of becoming more familiar with and getting trained in IATA 2015 Dangerous Goods Regulations, several major aircraft manufacturers are also adding restrictions on the shipping of procedures for lithium batteries on present aircraft.
On July 17, 2015, Boeing published a guidance document, stating that “recently concluded testing by the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association (ICCAIA), with Boeing’s participation, has determined that a fire involving one or more packages of lithium-ion batteries packed and transported in accordance with the Dangerous Goods Technical Instructions could create hazards that the aircraft fire protection features are not able to adequately protect against.”
Following Boeing’s lead, Lufthansa Group changed its policy with regard to the transport of shipments containing lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries effective August 31, 2015. After IATA made recommendations to all operators to conduct their own risk assessments, Lufthansa Cargo chose to impose further restrictions that go beyond international regulations regarding the acceptance and transport of lithium batteries. Even though these restrictions will apply to all bookings effective August 31, any shipments booked prior to this date may still be delivered to Lufthansa Cargo until September 30, 2015.
Starting October 1, 2015, Lufthansa Cargo will only accept shipments that have been booked and delivered according to the new regulations. Overview of restrictions for lithium batteries:
Embargo on excepted lithium batteries packed loose (Section II of PI 965 and PI 968)
The lithium batteries listed below will no longer be accepted for transport on any Lufthansa Group passenger and freighter aircraft.
- UN 3480 Lithium-ion batteries in accordance with Section II of PI 965 Section II (ELI)
- UN 3090 Lithium metal batteries in accordance with Section II of PI 968 Section II (ELM)
Lufthansa Cargo will continue to carry the following batteries on passenger and freighter aircraft:
- UN 3481 Lithium-ion batteries packed with or contained in equipment in accordance with Section II of PI 966 and PI 967 (ELI)
- UN 3091 Lithium metal batteries packed with or contained in equipment in accordance with Section II of PI 969 and PI 970 (ELM)
Prohibition of fully regulated lithium batteries (Section I/IA/IB of PI 965 – PI 970) on passenger aircraft
Lufthansa Cargo will no longer accept fully regulated lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries for carriage on Lufthansa Group’s passenger aircraft. The prohibition applies to lithium batteries packed loose as well as lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment. Lufthansa Cargo will continue to accept fully regulated lithium batteries for transport on freighter flights and road feeder services. Any shipment containing the following lithium batteries must always be booked, delivered and declared as “Cargo Aircraft Only” with packages bearing the CAO label.
This restriction also applies to packages having a net quantity permitted for transport on passenger aircraft as per IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
- UN 3480 Lithium-ion batteries in accordance with Sections IA and IB of PI 965 (RLI)
- UN 3090 Lithium metal batteries in accordance with Sections IA and IB of PI 968 (RLM) already restricted to “Cargo Aircraft Only” as per IATA DGR
- UN 3481 Lithium-ion batteries packed with or contained in equipment in accordance with Section I of PI 966 and PI 967 (RLI)
- UN 3091 Lithium metal batteries packed with or contained in equipment in accordance with Section I of PI 969 and PI 970 (RLM)
Please note, OCEANAIR is not allowed to make any decisions regarding classification, marking, labeling or documentation of Dangerous Goods.
If you have any questions, please contact our compliance department at compliance@oceanair.net or (781) 286-2700.
