Lithium batteries transportation rule extended until August 7, 2015

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has extended the mandatory compliance date regulating the transport of lithium batteries and cells from February 6, 2015, to August 7, 2015, for modes of transport other than air. For air transport, the February 6, 2015 date remains unchanged.

A mandatory compliance date of February 6, 2015 had been established in the August 6, 2014 final rule, which revised hazard communication and packaging provisions for lithium batteries to align the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) with applicable provisions of the United Nations (UN) Model Regulations, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Shippers had been given only six months in which to incorporate the new requirements into standard operating procedures (SOPs) and complete training of affected personnel.

The date was extended for modes of transport other than air due to formal comments received from multiple stakeholders outlining challenges faced by the regulated community in fully implementing the provisions of the final rule by the February 6, 2015 mandatory compliance date.

Questions about this regulatory update may be directed to Livingston’s U.S. Regulatory Affairs group.