The International Air Transport Association (“IATA”) has published significant changes and amendments to the 54th edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (“DGR”) that will become effective January 1, 2013.  Some of the most notable modifications are related to air transport of lithium ion and metal batteries.

Dangerous  goods regulatory changes related to lithium batteries being incorporated into the 54th Edition of the IATA DGR are:

• New  “Section II” lithium ion (Packing Instruction 965) and lithium metal (Packing Instruction 968) cell batteries quantity limits per package

• New “Section IB” for lithium ion (Packing Instruction 965) and metal (Packing Instruction 968) batteries has been created to continue to allow small packages of this commodity to be shipped without UN specification packaging.  Lithium batteries packaged per “Section IB” are subject to all  other applicable Dangerous Goods requirements,  including but not limited to:

1. Dangerous Goods training
2. Class 9 hazard label as well as a lithium battery handling label
3. A full Shipper’s Declaration may not be required but alternative written documentation or electronic information  must be provided  describing the contents of the package

• Clarification of the net quantity package limits for lithium batteries packed with and contained in equipment

If you are shipping lithium batteries please ensure you are in compliance with these new regulations in order to avoid potential delays with the movement of your cargo.

The full document for the Significant Changes and Amendments to the 54th edition of the DGR can be found here.

Additional information on the regulations applicable to the transport of lithium batteries by air and technical pages may be found on the IATA and ICAO websites.