PHMSA Rulemaking on Transportation of Lithium Batteries
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comments on the impact of changes to the requirements for the air transport of lithium cells and batteries adopted into the 2013-2014 International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and then incorporated by reference in a final rule published in the same Federal Register. PHMSA is considering the long-term impacts of permitting shippers and carriers to choose between compliance with the existing HMR or compliance with the ICAO Technical Instructions 2013-2014 edition when transporting batteries domestically by air. Specifically, PHMSA is seeking comment on whether to require mandatory compliance with the 2013-2014 ICAO Technical Instructions for all shipments of lithium batteries by air, both foreign and domestic. Based on the comments received, PHMSA may issue a final rule to revise the HMR to reflect the lithium battery provisions specified in the 2013-2014 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions. Comments are due March 8, 2013. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-07/html/2012-31244.htm