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PHMSA 11-07
Friday, December 28, 2007
Contact: Patricia
Klinger
Joe Delcambre
Tel.: (202) 366-4831
UPDATE:
US DOT Hazmat Safety Rule to Place Limits on
Lithium Batteries Carried by Passengers Aboard Aircraft Effective January 1,
2008
Passengers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in
checked luggage beginning January 1, 2008, once new federal safety rules take
effect. The new regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery
fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are
installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if properly protected
from short circuiting in their original packaging or by placing them in
individual plastic bags or a protective travel case.
Common consumer
electronics such as digital cameras, cell phones, and most notebook computers
are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. Moreover, any number of
spare batteries for these devices will be allowed in carry-on baggage if they
are properly protected from short circuiting and do not exceed 8 grams (~100
watt hours) of equivalent lithium content. Most lithium-ion cell phone and
standard notebook computer batteries are below 8 grams (~100 watt hours) of
equivalent lithium content. Batteries not installed in electronic devices are
not permitted in checked baggage.
The rule limits passengers to not more
than two large spare rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in carry-on baggage.
This applies to batteries that exceed 8 grams (~100 watt hours) of equivalent
lithium content and less than 25 grams (~300 watt hours). Batteries with
more than 25 grams (~300 watt hours) are not allowed in either checked or
carry-on baggage.
“Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery
in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent
unintentional short-circuiting and fires,” said Krista Edwards, Deputy
Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration.
Lithium batteries are considered
hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite under certain
conditions. Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft
cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a
shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight. This rule
aims to reduce the risk of fires involving lithium batteries in the cabin of
passenger aircraft.
“This rule protects the passenger,” said Lynne Osmus,
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assistant administrator for security and
hazardous materials. “It’s one more step for safety. It’s the right thing to do
and the right time to do it.”
In addition to the new rule, PHMSA is
working with the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Consumer
Product Safety Commission, the battery, consumer electronics and airline
industries, airline employee organizations, testing laboratories, and the
emergency response communities to increase public awareness about
battery-related risks and developments. These useful safety tips are highlighted
at the public website: http://safetravel.dot.gov/.