Regulatory Updates: Lithium Battery Shipping Rules Mandatory
LITHIUM BATTERY SHIPPING RULES MANDATORY On August 6, 2014, PHMSA updated the lithium battery shipping provisions of the Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR 171-180). The lithium battery shipping rules are a step closer to harmonizing the US regulations with evolving international standards. A Historical Timeline of Dates Voluntary compliance with the new rules began immediately (Aug. 6, 2014), and the initial compliance deadline was 180 days after promulgation (Feb. 6, 2015). PHMSA later extended the deadline for shippers to August 7, 2015 . Equivalent provisions for air and vessel shippers were part of the 56th Edition of IATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and the 2014 Edition of the IMDG Code (Amendment 37). The IATA DGR rules have been in force since January 1 of this year, and mandatory compliance with the 2014 IMDG Code starts on January 1, 2016. What Changed for Lithium Battery Shippers? 1. PHMSA's new lithium battery shipp...