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For the past several years, we have been made more aware than ever of the hazards associated with lithium batteries. For this reason, there have been long-standing requirements in the dangerous goods regulations that lithium cells and batteries being transported by any mode of transportation must be of a type proven to meet the criteria in Part III, Sub-section 38.3 of the <\/span>UN Manual of Tests and Criteria<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 With the right <\/span>online lithium batteries training,<\/span><\/a> manufacturers of lithium cells and batteries\u00a0know they must create and maintain a record of satisfactory completion of the required tests prior to offering the lithium cell or battery for transport.<\/span><\/p>\n Having said this, as with any product in as widespread use and demand as lithium batteries, knockoffs and shortcuts are always a worry. Exploding e-cigarettes, burning cellular phones, blazing hoverboards \u2013 we\u2019ve all seen them, even with stringent manufacturing and testing requirements specified in the aforementioned regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n As of January 1, 2020, however, the requirement of the most current UN Model regulations that \u201cmanufacturers and subsequent distributors of cells or batteries must <\/span>make available<\/span><\/i> the test summary as specified in the Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Subsection 38.3, Paragraph 38.3.5\u201d is effective in accordance with the international dangerous goods transportation regulations.\u00a0 IATA\u2019s Lithium Battery Guidance Document further clarifies in the FAQ section that the test summary must be made available \u201cupon request\u201d. <\/span>\u201cAny individual or entity in the supply chain may request the test summary, e.g. regulator, consumer, or transport provider.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n There was certainly adequate notice disseminated of this January 2020 availability requirement, including guidance from regulatory agencies, trade associations, and other entities regarding ways for manufacturers and distributors to provide this availability, e.g. on a company\u2019s website, etc. This is also something that the right\u00a0<\/span>online hazmat training<\/span><\/a> would make them aware of.<\/p>\n I personally cheered this new requirement, having long-standing empathy with shippers of lithium batteries and others in the supply chain who for years had been signing their names certifying compliance with the lithium battery testing requirements without truly having a reliable means to confirm this. When asked over the past several months by customers as to how they might obtain this test summary, I cheerily told them, \u201cYou can most likely get it from the product manufacturer\u2019s website!\u201d, after having myself done a quick search for \u201cPanasonic UN 38.3 test report\u201d and being immediately presented with a very efficient compilation of the test reports on the Panasonic website (Panasonic, if you\u2019re reading, I\u2019m forever a fan).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While there is no requirement for this test summary to be provided with a shipment of lithium batteries, it would not be out of scope for forwarders or operators, for example, to request it, and I have already heard of this happening. So when I was asked to write an article for this blog reinforcing the test summary availability that is now required as of January 1, I decided to do a quick, non-scientific test of my own just to reassure myself of how easy it would be for me to get a copy if I needed it!\u00a0 Hmmmph\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n I started with a general search of phone manufacturers, since that seemed to be a simple place to begin.\u00a0 This turned into a surprisingly lengthy ordeal, but I had a teensy bit of success (Google has them on their website!). So I then expanded my tour of duty by researching who manufactures the batteries for the phones \u2013 creating a more lengthy ordeal for myself with even less success. One website directed me to their SDS lookup, which I hadn\u2019t really even considered as we know an SDS is not required for articles such as lithium batteries.\u00a0 Disappointment again. While I did find a few SDSs and Spec Sheets providing blanket statements such as \u201c<\/span>ALL of our batteries are compliant with the requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, 38.3<\/span><\/i>\u201d, I was unable to locate the specific test details required. I could only think that I was doing something terribly wrong.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Incredibly, I then had the brilliant idea to become a wholesale buyer of a product that contains lithium batteries, which I could then sell for a nifty profit in my off time from Bureau of Dangerous Goods.\u00a0 While chatting with a friendly company representative about my prospective large purchase, I casually inquired as to whether I could be provided with the UN Test Report Summary for the lithium batteries, as I may need it to meet regulatory requirements in my new business.\u00a0 My chat went immediately cold. Shortly I received \u201cSandra, this is a request I am unfamiliar with and would have to ask around for. What is the purpose of this summary report?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n I stood down when my exercise became stiflingly frustrating and I suddenly realized the incredible amount of on-the-clock time I had spent on what I thought was going to be a simple task (and I obviously won\u2019t be leaving BDG anytime soon.)<\/span><\/p>\n I want to know your experiences!\u00a0 Do any of you have stories of success to share?\u00a0 We would love to know how this new requirement is actually shaping up out there in your world!\u00a0 In the meantime, if you have had an experience similar to mine, I feel your pain. Manufacturers and distributors \u2013 can you point us in the right direction?\u00a0 (And Panasonic, again, if you\u2019re reading, I\u2019m forever a fan.)<\/span><\/p>\n In the meantime, if you are looking for more information on this subject, be sure to check out <\/span>IATA\u2019s official 2020 Lithium Battery Guidance Document<\/span> or\u00a0 the U.S. DOT\u2019s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)<\/span> Announcement for Lithium Battery Testing Requirements<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n And to ensure you\u2019re always remaining compliant, be sure to visit Hazmat University to take one of their latest <\/span>online supplemental lithium batteries training courses<\/span><\/a>. It will ensure you\u2019re staying up-to-date with the latest requirements, guaranteeing that you\u2019ll be safe, compliant, and confident in all things lithium batteries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nMaking the Test Summary Available<\/b><\/h2>\n
My Take On the New Requirement<\/b><\/h2>\n
My Own Due Diligence\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Share Your Story and Stay Compliant With Hamzat University Online Lithium Batteries Training<\/b><\/h2>\n