Appendix 5. Transportation Restrictions for Lithium
Batteries
Appendix 5-1 Transportation restrictions for lithium batteries ..................................................................A5-2
Appendix 5-1-1 Restriction for packing...............................................................................................A5-2
Appendix 5-1-2 Issuing domestic law of the United State for primary lithium battery transportation .A5-5
A5 - 1
Appendix 5. Transportation Restrictions for Lithium Batteries
Appendix 5-1 Transportation restrictions for lithium batteries
Appendix 5-1-1 Restriction for packing
The United Nations Dangerous Goods Regulations "Article 12" became effective from 2003. When transporting lithium batteries with means subject to the UN Regulations, such as by air transport, measures corresponding to the Regulations must be taken. The UN Regulations classify the batteries as dangerous goods (Class 9) or not dangerous goods according to the lithium content.
To ensure safety during transportation, lithium batteries (battery unit) directly exported from Mitsubishi are packaged in a dedicated container (UN package) for which safety has been confirmed. When the customer is transporting these products with means subject to the UN Regulations, such as air transport, the shipper must follow the details explained in section (2).
The following Mitsubishi NC products use lithium batteries. The UN Regulations classify the batteries as dangerous goods (Class 9) or not dangerous goods according to the lithium content.
(Refer to the battery unit's rating nameplate or section "4-1-2 Battery option" for details on the lithium content.) If the batteries subjected to hazardous materials are incorporated in a device and shipped, a dedicated packaging (UN packaging) is not required. However, the item must be packed and shipped following the Packing Instruction 912 specified in the IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods
Regulation) book.
Also, all lithium battery products incorporated in a machinery or device must be fixed securely in accordance with the Packing Instruction 900 and shipped with protection in a way as to prevent damage or short-circuits.
(a) Products requiring dedicated packaging (Materials falling under Class 9)
Mitsubishi type
MDS-A-BT-4
MDS-A-BT-6
MDS-A-BT-8
Battery type
Lithium metal content
Battery manufacturer
ER6-B4-11 2.6g
ER6-B6-11 3.9g
Battery class
Battery
FCU6-BT4-D1
(built-in battery)
Combination of
ER6-B4D-11 and ER6
CR23500SE-CJ5
2.6g+0.65g
1.52g Sanyo Battery Battery cell
(b) Products not requiring dedicated packaging (Materials not falling under Class 9)
Mitsubishi type
MDS-A-BT-2
FCU6-BTBOX
(built-in battery)
(built-in battery)
(built-in battery)
MR-BAT
Q6BAT
Battery type
Lithium metal content
Battery manufacturer
ER6-B2-12 1.3g
2CR5 1.96g
CR2032 0.067g
CR2450 0.173g
ER6, ER6V 0.7g
MR-BAT 0.48g
Mitsubishi Electric
Battery
Battery class
Battery
Battery cell
Note 1) Dedicated packaging is required if the shipment exceeds 12 batteries/24 battery cells.
Package the batteries so that this limit is not exceeded.
Note 2) The battery units labeled as "FCUA-" instead of "MDS-A-" also use the same battery.
Note 3) Always use the cell battery (MR-BAT) in combination with the dedicated case
(MDS-BTCASE). Maximum 8 (either 2, 4, 6 or 8) cell batteries can be installed to the dedicated case (MDS-BTCASE).
Example) Rating nameplate for battery units
Mitsubishi type
A5 - 2
Safety class
Battery manufacturer type
Lithium metal content
Appendix 5. Transportation Restrictions for Lithium Batteries
(2) Handling by user
The following technical opinion is solely Mitsubishi's opinion. The shipper must confirm the latest
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, IMDG Codes and laws and orders of the corresponding export country. These should be checked by the company commissioned for the actual transportation.
IATA : International Air Transport Association
IMDG Code : A uniform international code for the transport of dangerous goods by seas determined by IMO (International Maritime Organization).
(a) When shipping isolated lithium battery products (Packing Instruction 903)
1) Reshipping in Mitsubishi UN packaging
The isolated battery's safety test and packaging specifications comply with the UN Regulations
(Packing Instruction 903). Thus, the user only needs to add the following details before shipping.
(Consult with the shipping company for details.)
i) Indication of container usage mark on exterior box (Label with following details recorded.)
•
•
Proper shipping name (Lithium batteries)
UN NO. (UN3090 for isolated battery, UN3091 for battery incorporated in a device or included)
• Shipper and consignee's address and name
Example of completing form
Shipper information Consignee information
ii) Preparation of shipping documents (Declaration of dangerous goods)
2) When packaged by user
The user must follow UN Regulations when packing, preparing for shipping and preparing the indications, etc.
i) Packing a lithium battery falling under Class 9
•
•
Consult with The Ship Equipment Inspection Society of Japan for details on packaging.
Prepare for shipping as explained in "1) Reshipping in Mitsubishi UN packaging".
The Ship Equipment Inspection Society of Japan
Headquarters Telephone: 03-3261-6611 Fax: 03-3261-6979
ii) Packing a lithium battery not falling under Class 9
•
•
Cells and batteries are separated so as to prevent short circuits and are stored in a strong outer packaging. (12 or less batteries, 24 or less cells.)
Certificates or test results showing compliance to battery safety test.
The safety test results have been obtained from the battery manufacturer. (Consult with
•
Mitsubishi when the safety test results are required.)
Prepare for shipping as explained in "1) Reshipping in Mitsubishi UN packaging".
A5 - 3
Appendix 5. Transportation Restrictions for Lithium Batteries
(b) When shipping lithium batteries upon incorporating in a machinery or device
(Packing Instruction 900)
Pack and prepare for shipping the item in accordance with the Packing Instruction 900 specified in the IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulation) book. (Securely fix the batteries that comply with the
UN Manual of Tests and Criteria to a machinery or device, and protect in a way as to prevent damage or short-circuit.)
Note that all the lithium batteries provided by Mitsubishi have cleared the UN recommended safety test; fixing the battery units or cable wirings securely to the machinery or device will be the user’s responsibility.
Check with your shipping company for details on packing and transportation.
(c) When shipping a device with lithium batteries incorporated (Packing Instruction 912)
A device incorporating lithium batteries does not require a dedicated packaging (UN packaging).
However, the item must be packed, prepared for shipping and labeled following the Packing
Instruction 912 specified in the IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulation) book.
Check with your shipping company for details on packing and transportation.
The outline of the Packing Instruction 912 is as follows:
• All the items in the packing instructions for shipping the isolated lithium battery products
•
(Packing Instruction 903) must be satisfied, except for the items related to container, short-circuit, and fixation.
A device incorporating lithium batteries has to be stored in a strong water-proofed outer
•
•
• packaging.
To prevent an accidental movement during shipment, securely store the item in an outer packaging.
Lithium content per device should be not more than 12g for cell and 500g for battery.
Lithium battery mass per device should be not more than 5kg.
(3) Reference
Refer to the following materials for details on the regulations and responses.
Guidelines regarding transportation of lithium batteries and lithium ion batteries (Edition 2)
.......................................................... Battery Association of Japan
A5 - 4
Appendix 5. Transportation Restrictions for Lithium Batteries
Appendix 5-1-2 Issuing domestic law of the United State for primary lithium battery transportation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) announced an additional regulation (interim final rule) for the primary lithium batteries transportation restrictions item in "Federal Register" on Dec.15 2004. This regulation became effective from Dec.29,
2004.
This law is a domestic law of the United States, however if also applies to the domestic flight and international flight departing from or arriving in the United States. Therefore, when transporting lithium batteries to the United State, or within the United State, the shipper must take measures required to transport lithium batteries.
Refer to the Federal Register and the code of Federal Regulation ("(a), (b) and (c) in the item (4)" described below) for details.
(1) Outline of regulation
(a) Transporting primary lithium battery by passenger aircraft is forbidden.
•
Excluding primary lithium battery for personal use in a carry-on or checked luggage
( Lithium metal content should be not more than 5g for cell and 25g for battery. For details on the lithium metal content, refer to "(a) and (b) in the section 5-1-1 item (1)".
)
(b) When transporting primary lithium battery by cargo aircraft, indicate that transportation by passenger aircraft is forbidden on the exterior box.
All NC products for which the lithium batteries are used are subject to the regulation.
(Refer to the table "(a) and (b) in the section 5-1-1 item (1)".)
(3) Handling by user
The "(1) Outline of regulation" described above is solely Mitsubishi's opinion. The shipper must confirm orders of "(a), (b) and (c) in the item (4)" described below for transportation method corresponding the regulation. Actually, these should be checked by the company commissioned for the actual lithium buttery transportation.
(a) Indication of exterior box
When transporting primary lithium battery by cargo aircraft, indicate that transportation by passenger aircraft is forbidden on the exterior box.
Display example
PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES
FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT.
•
The character color must be displayed with contrast. (black characters against white background, black characters against yellow background, etc.)
•
The height (size) of characters to be displayed is prescribed depending on the packaging weight.
When the total weight is over 30kg: at least 12mm
When the total weight is less than 30kg: at least 6mm
(4) Reference
(a) Federal Register (Docket No. RSPA-2004-19884 (HM-224E) ) PDF format http://www.regulations.gov/fredpdfs/05-11765.pdf
(b) 49CFR (Code of Federal Regulation, Title49) (173.185 Lithium batteries and cells.) http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_00/49cfr173_00.html
(c) DOT regulation body (Department of Transportation) http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/rules/final/69fr/docs/69fr-75207.pdf
A5 - 5
