UN 3480 Lithium ion batteries (including lithium ion polymer batteries) ICAO TI 2025-2026 (Shortinfo)

Pre-production prototypes of lithium cells or batteries or sodium ion cells or batteries, when these prototypes are transported for testing, or low production runs (i.e. annual production runs consisting of not more than 100 lithiumcells or batteries or sodium ion cells or batteries) of lithium cells or batteries or sodium ion cells or batteries that have not been tested to the requirements in Part III, subsection 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria may be transported aboard cargo aircraft if approved by the appropriate authority of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator and the requirements in Packing Instruction 910 of the Supplement are met. A copy of the document of approval must accompany the consignment. Transport in accordance with this special provision must be noted on the dangerous goods transport document. Irrespective of the limit specified in column 13 of Table 3-1, the cell or battery as prepared for transport may have a mass exceeding 35 kg.

Irrespective of the quantity limits for cargo aircraft specified in column 13 of Table 3-1, and in Section I of Packing Instructions 965, 966, 967, 968, 969970, 976, 977 and 978, a lithium cell or battery or sodium ion cell or battery (i.e. UN 3090, UN 3480 or UN 3551), including when packed with equipment or contained in equipment (i.e. UN 3091, UN 3481 or UN 3552) that meets the other requirements of Section I of the applicable packing instruction, may have a mass exceeding 35 kg, if approved by the appropriate authority of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator. A copy of the document of approval must accompany the consignment. Transport in accordance with this special provision must be noted on the dangerous goods transport document.

Lithium ion cells or batteries, lithium metal cells or batteries and sodium ion cells or batteries, identified as being defective for safety reasons, that have the potential of producing a dangerous evolution of heat, fire or short circuit are forbidden for transport (e.g. those being returned to the manufacturer for safety reasons or cells or batteries that cannot be diagnosed as defective prior to transport). Lithium ion cells or batteries, lithium metal cells or batteries and sodium ion cells or batteries identified as being damaged such that they do not conform to the type tested according to the applicable provisions of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria are forbidden for transport. For the purposes of this special provision, these may include, but are not limited to: a) cells or batteries that have leaked or vented; b) cells or batteries that cannot be diagnosed prior to transport; or c) cells or batteries that have sustained physical or mechanical damage. In assessing a cell or battery as damaged or defective, an assessment or evaluation must be performed based on safety criteria from the cell, battery or product manufacturer or by a technical expert with knowledge of the cell's or battery's safety features. An assessment or evaluation may include, but is not limited to, the following criteria: a) acute hazard, such as gas, fire, or electrolyte leaking; b) the use or misuse of the cell or battery; c) signs of physical damage, such as deformation to cell or battery casing, or colours on the casing; d) external and internal short circuit protection, such as voltage or isolation measures; e) the condition of the cell or battery safety features; or f) damage to any internal safety components, such as the battery management system.

Waste cells and batteries and cells or batteries being shipped for recycling or disposal are forbidden from air transport unless approved by the appropriate national authority of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator.

In instances where other forms of transport (including cargo aircraft) is impracticable, lithium cells or batteries may be transported as Class 9 (UN 3480 or UN 3090) on passenger aircraft with the prior approval of the authority of the State of Origin, the State of the Operator and the State of Destination under the written conditions established by those authorities, provided that the following types and quantities are met: a) quantities of lithium metal cells or batteries (UN 3090) are limited to the allowance permitted in Table 968-II of Packing Instruction 968; and b) quantities of lithium ion cells or batteries (UN 3480) are limited to the allowance permitted in Table 965-II of Packing Instruction 965. When States, other than the State of Origin, the State of the Operator or State of Destination have notified ICAO that they require prior approval of shipments made under this special provision, approval must also be obtained from these States, as appropriate. The requirements of Part 5 for Class 9 (UN 3090 or UN 3480) lithium metal and lithium ion batteries apply. A copy of the document of approval including the quantity limitations must accompany the consignment. Transport in accordance with this special provision must be noted on the dangerous goods transport document. If transport in accordance with this special provision is not possible, States concerned may grant an exemption from the prohibition to transport lithium metal or lithium ion batteries on passenger aircraft in accordance with Part 1;1.1.3. Authorities issuing exemptions or approvlas in accordance with this special provision must provide a copy to the Chief of the Cargo Safety Section within three months via email at CSS@icao.int, via facsimile at +1 514-954-6077 or via post to the following address: Chief, Cargo Safety Section International Civil Aviation Organization 999 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard Montréal, Quebec CANADA H3C 5H7 Note.- Guidance for the processing of exemptions or approvals from the prohibition to transport lithium batteries may be found in Part S-1;4 and Table S-3-1, Special Provision A334 of the Supplement to the Technical Instructions.

Lithium batteries in conformity with 2;9.3 f) containing both primary lithium metal cells and rechargeable lithium ion cells must be assigned to UN Nos. 3090 or 3091 as appropriate. When such batteries are transported in accordance with Section IB of Packing Instruction 968, or in accordance with Section II of Packing Instruction 969 or 970, the total lithium content of all lithium metal cells contained in the battery must not exceed 1.5 g, and the total capacity of all lithium ion cells contained in the battery must not exceed 10 Wh.