What Warning Labels Have to Be on Lithium Ion Polymer Battery
Your 2021 Guide to Lithium Bombardment Labels
Present, many of our personal devices and products are powered by batteries containing lithium. As east-commerce continues to skyrocket, specially due to the recent global pandemic, these items are beingness shipped both domestically and internationally at an exceedingly higher rate.
Because they are designed to provide high levels of ability, the electrical energy lithium batteries possess is significant, which carries with information technology many potential prophylactic risks. For this reason, transporting lithium batteries requires proper packing and specific labels to make certain all involved along the supply chain process are prophylactic and well-informed. It is worth noting that rules and regulations for battery labels keep to change as updates are made to label designs and packing instructions.
In this article, we're taking a closer expect at lithium battery labels, their regulations and requirements, and why they matter when it comes to shipping.
Why Are Lithium Batteries Regulated in Transportation?
If you have ever considered shipping lithium batteries or products that incorporate them, it's not equally piece of cake equally merely labeling a package and sending them on their way. There are quite a lot of regulations involved with their transportation, all of which are extremely important and necessary.
So why is this the case?
Lithium batteries are classified equally dangerous goods. This is because they are composed of many different chemistries, cathodes, and electrolytes. When damaged, lithium batteries become a chemic and electric hazard capable of chemical burns, electrical shock, and extreme heat. This means they tin can be unsafe if non safely packaged and handled when transported.
If lithium batteries are improperly stored or defective when they are shipped, they tin short circuit, overheat, or commencement a burn. Packages containing lithium batteries should never be jostled or dropped during transit and must be properly stored to endure changing environmental factors.
For these reasons, it is imperative that shippers take the fourth dimension to safely store, packet, and label any postal service containing lithium batteries.
two Classifications of Lithium Batteries
When discussing lithium batteries, it is important to note that there are ii classification types. Depending on the type of lithium battery you lot are shipping, you will need to comply with different aircraft specifications and regulations. Both battery types are classified equally run a risk Class 9 Unsafe Goods, which we'll discuss later on.
Lithium Metal Batteries
Lithium metal batteries are a primary battery, significant they are non-rechargeable. They contain lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode, have a long shelf life, and produce a higher energy density than other lithium batteries.
Some common devices lithium metal batteries can be found in are:
- Watches
- Calculators
- Cameras
- Automobile primal tools
- Defibrillators
- Temperature data loggers
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are a secondary battery, meaning they are rechargeable which is one of their main features. They have an average voltage range between 2.4 and three.7 volts and can simply be transported at a depression plenty energy chapters to avoid whatever dangers.
Lithium-ion batteries are institute more usually in many consumer products, such as:
- Mobile phones
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Ability tools
- Electric toothbrushes
- Medical equipment
- Electrical vehicles
Organizations similar the IATA (International Air Send Association) have adult guidelines for ship regulations concerning lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries. In order to comply with these regulations, packages containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries must accept durable labels applied to display the correct information and warnings to ensure safety . These labels should encounter strong standards, like beingness printed on synthetic materials that are tear and scratch-resistant and have a resilient agglutinative necessary for various climate conditions and environments.
Lithium Bombardment UN Rating System
When information technology comes time to ship lithium batteries, you volition want to make sure your packages are properly labeled to display the correct battery type as well equally how they are being transported. One system used to identify this information is the Un rating arrangement. The United nations rating organisation was developed by the Un every bit a set of standards for shipping or storing hazardous materials. Labels with a UN number illustrate what battery material is independent and how they are packaged.
Lithium batteries are either shipped equally standalone, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment.
When shipped, packages containing lithium-ion batteries must be labeled with one of the following Un numbers:
- UN3480
- UN3481
The UN3480 number signifies that the packet contains standalone lithium-ion batteries not being shipped with other products. The UN3481 number signifies that the packages comprise lithium-ion batteries either independent in or packed with equipment.
When shipped, packages containing lithium meta fifty batteries must be labeled with one of the following United nations numbers:
- UN3090
- UN3091
The UN3090 number signifies that the bundle contains standalone lithium metal batteries non being shipped with other products. The UN3091 number signifies that the packages incorporate lithium metallic batteries either contained in or packed with equipment.
| ID Number | Proper Shipping Proper name and Description | Hazard Class |
|---|---|---|
| UN2794 | Batteries, Wet, Filled with Acid | 8 |
| UN2795 | Batteries, Wet, Filled with Brine | 8 |
| UN2800 | Batteries, Wet, Nonspillable | 8 |
| UN3028 | Batteries, Dry, Containing Potassium Hydroxide Solid | eight |
| UN3090 | Lithium Metal Batteries | ix |
| UN3091 | Lithium Metal Batteries Contained in Equipment | 9 |
| UN3292 | Batteries, Containing Sodium | four.3 |
| UN3480 | Lithium-Ion Batteries | 9 |
| UN3481 | Lithium-Ion Batteries Independent In Equipment | 9 |
Restrictions for Packaging & Shipping
The International Air Ship Association (IATA) created and implemented Packing Instructions (PI) for how lithium batteries must exist packaged and shipped for transportation aboard aircraft carriers. Different PI numbers are applied to shipments depending on the battery type and you will need to follow them when preparing your shipment. Packing Instruction 965 is applied to lithium-ion batteries and Packing Instruction 968 is applied to lithium metal batteries.
These instructions pertain to:
- Which battery type is beingness shipped
- If they are standalone, packed with, or contained in equipment
- The weight limit for the parcel
The regulations involved with these packaging instructions include different sections for how your batteries should be shipped, such as Sections 50 or ll, and Department lA and Section lB. Once you know how to package and ship your batteries, you will be able to determine which specific lithium bombardment labels need to be applied.
It is of import to note that each of these instructions comes with exceptions for certain requirements and tin vary depending on the carrier. For example, lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment must comply with more regulations than standalone batteries. Make sure yous fully research and sympathise the requirements involved when it comes to packaging your lithium batteries.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Since lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, one of their requirements is that batteries must be shipped at a country of accuse (SoC) not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity. The SoC is merely associated with rechargeable batteries and refers to the percentage of electric stored capacity bachelor for use. This regulation may or may not use depending on how the batteries are beingness shipped.
Lithium-ion battery instructions include:
- Wh (watt-hours)
- SoC (land of charge)
- Gross weight of batteries per package (in kg)
| Lithium-Ion Batteries UN3480, P.I.965 | Section 1A | Section 1B |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-Ion Cells (≤ 30% state of accuse) | > 20 Wh and ≤ 35 kg per bundle max. | ≤ 20 Wh and ≤ 10 kg per package max. |
| Lithium-Ion Batteries (≤ 30% state of charge) | > 100 Wh and ≤ 35 kg per bundle max. | ≤ 100 Wh and ≤ 10 kg per package max. |
Lithium Metal Batteries
Because lithium metal batteries are non-rechargeable, they practise not have a SoC requirement for shipping. Instead, they are regulated by how much lithium metal is contained in each shipment.
Lithium metallic bombardment instructions include:
- Amount of lithium in grams
- Gross weight of batteries per package (in kg)
| Lithium Metal Batteries UN3090, P.I.968 | Section 1A | Section 1B |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Metal Cells | > 1 g lithium and ≤ 35 kg per package max. | ≤ ane g lithium and ≤ ii.five kg per packet max. |
| Lithium Metal Batteries | > 2 g lithium and ≤ 35 kg per package max. | ≤ ii chiliad lithium and ≤ 2.5 kg per package max. |
Lithium Battery Labels & Markings
Because in that location are different modes of transportation through which batteries can be shipped, there are different regime organizations and agencies that crave specific characterization designs in club to be compliant with rubber regulations. Some of these organizations include:
- PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)
- DOT (Department of Transportation)
- ICAO ( International Ceremonious Aviation Organization)
- IATA (International Air Ship Clan)
These organizations and agencies recognize the risk lithium batteries tin pose and take input requirements to heighten safety provisions. This is particularly important when it comes to air travel.
Depending on the carrier y'all are shipping with, like FedEx, UPS, USPS, or DHL, you may need to include a shipper'south annunciation for dangerous goods class with your packet. Labels should be placed on packages where they can exist visibly seen. Failure to properly label packages can issue in large fines and shipments beingness rejected.
Below are examples of lithium battery labels necessary for shipping, handling, and transportation. These labels are a key requirement for packages containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries traveling by road, aircraft, rail, or gunkhole. New revisions accept been made to these labels over the years to stay compliant with current regulations, and are mandatory for both domestic and international shipments.
Battery Labels
New compliance regulations for battery labels went into effect on January i, 2019. These regulations updated previous label guidelines and made older battery labels no longer compliant. Newer lithium bombardment handling labels at present include:
- Relevant United nations identification number
- Telephone number for additional information
- Bombardment symbol
- Red edge around label with a minimum width of 5mm
Battery handling labels can either be preprinted with all of the necessary information or be partially pre-printed, which allows the contact data to be written in manually. The minimum size for these labels is 110mm (4.3 inches) in height by 120mm (4.vii inches) in width, and they must exist placed on the outside of boxes or packages containing lithium batteries.
Class 9 Adventure Labels
Whatsoever substances or materials that are being transported as Class 9 are considered to exist miscellaneous dangerous appurtenances. These articles present a danger or run a risk, especially environmentally, during transportation, and must be labeled to display this warning. Course 9 Dangerous Goods labels are diamond-shaped and must include:
- 7 black vertical stripes (upper half of label)
- A white background
- A figure number nine underlined (bottom corner of characterization)
CAO (Cargo Aircraft Merely) Label
CAO labels are used as a manner to warn airline personnel not to load any packages containing them onto passenger aircrafts. Shipments of lithium batteries are banned onboard passenger aircrafts as they can exist a contributing factor in causing fires if they are unstable, overcharged, or damaged.
These labels are bright orange in color and designed with a characterization of cargo existence loaded onto an aircraft. They are printed with a text stating: "Cargo Aircraft Simply – Forbidden in Passenger Aircraft". Labels must be rectangular in shape with a minimum size of 110mm (4.3 inches) in tiptop past 120mm (iv.7 inches) in width.
Lithium Batteries Forbidden For Transport Labels
Battery labels with this text help run across DOT (Department of Transportation) requirements for air travel. Although the text can vary slightly, when practical to a parcel information technology identifies that the materials inside are lithium batteries and therefore cannot be transported aboard whatsoever passenger shipping or vessel. These labels have a white background with bright ruby text.
UN3480 & UN3090
As per the packaging and aircraft specifications to a higher place, the labels necessary for transporting standalone lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries are listed past section below.
UN3481 & UN3091
As per the packaging and shipping specifications above, the labels necessary for transporting lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries packaged with or contained in equipment are listed past section below.
UN3481 > 5kg
Equally per the packaging and shipping specifications to a higher place, the labels necessary for transporting lithium-ion batteries packaged with or contained in equipment weighing more than 5 kg are listed by department below.
Determination
It goes without proverb that there are many stipulations when it comes to transporting lithium batteries correctly. Those aircraft them will desire to brand certain they've followed all of the rules and regulations in identify to ensure handling is done properly and safely. We hope this article has cleared up any confusion surrounding how lithium batteries are shipped and why the process is and so extensive.
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Source: https://www.smithcorona.com/blog/2021-guide-to-lithium-battery-labels/