Update on Air Transport Rules for Lithium Batteries

New regulations for air transportation of lithium batteries

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently released its 2025 version of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), the 66th edition, which updates the air transport regulations for lithium batteries. These revisions will take effect on January 1, 2025. The following outlines the specific update points and their potential impacts on lithium battery manufacturers, transportation companies, and related logistics industry participants.

Update on transportation of lithium batteries:

New UN Number:

-UN 3551: Sodium ion batteries

-UN 3552: Sodium ion batteries (installed in equipment or packaged together with equipment)

-UN 3556: Vehicles, powered by lithium-ion batteries

-UN 3557: Vehicles, powered by lithium metal batteries

-UN 3558: Vehicles, powered by sodium ion batteries

2. Packaging requirements:

-Add packaging terms PI976, PI977, and PI978 for organic electrolyte sodium ion batteries.

-The packaging instructions for lithium-ion batteries PI966 and PI967, as well as lithium metal batteries PI969 and PI970, have added a 3m stacking test requirement.

3. Power limit:

-By December 31, 2025, it is recommended that the battery capacity of the battery cell or battery not exceed 30%.

-Starting from January 1, 2026, the battery capacity of a cell or battery shall not exceed 30% (for cells or batteries with a capacity of 2.7Wh or more).

-It is also recommended that the battery capacity of 2.7Wh or below should not exceed 30%- It is recommended that the indicated capacity of the device should not exceed 25%.

4. Label change:

-The lithium battery label has been renamed as the battery label.

-The label for Class 9 dangerous goods lithium batteries has been renamed as Class 9 dangerous goods label for lithium-ion and sodium ion batteries.

IATA发布的第66版DGR对锂电池航空运输规定进行了全面革新，这对锂电池制造商、运输公司及关联物流企业带来了深远的影响。为确保锂电池的安全运输，相关企业必须迅速调整其生产、运输及物流流程，以符合新规的严格要求。