The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) this week extended the deadline for manufacturers, suppliers, and shippers to comply with new lithium battery ground transport regulations. The new deadline for shippers is August 7, 2015—six months beyond the original, recently passed deadline.  

The deadline extension provides the critical time needed for US lithium battery shippers to comply with wide-sweeping changes to the domestic ground transport regulations. Based on comments received from the regulated community, PHMSA will allow additional time for shippers to modify their hazmat shipping procedures to comply with the new lithium battery shipping rules. Note: The compliance date for lithium battery air shipments has not changed; new rules for air shipments are mandatory as of February 6 this year.

Read PHMSA’s HM-224F deadline extension notice here.

Under PHMSA’s new lithium battery shipping rules, many packages previously excluded from the Hazardous Materials Regulations are now subject to specific package marking and hazard communication documentation standards. For example, any shipment of lithium batteries not contained in equipment will now require hazard markings and shipping papers. In the past, shipments of up to 12 “small” batteries (or 24 cells) qualified for relief from these regulations.

To read more about how PHMSA’s latest lithium battery rulemaking will affect ground shipments after the new deadline, click here for a full breakdown of the new regulation:  Countdown to New, Tougher Lithium Battery Shipping Rules.

Expert training on new lithium battery rules

The 24/7 online course Shipping Lithium Batteries will prepare shipping managers and personnel for compliance with the latest rules for ground (49 CFR), air (IATA), and ocean (IMDG) transport, including new DOT and IATA regulations. Available 24/7, the updated online course is a convenient way for shipping managers and employees to satisfy US DOT’s training requirement for hazmat employees involved in shipping lithium batteries.

For live training presented by an expert instructor, Lion Technology will broadcast the Shipping Lithium Batteries Webinar on March 19. The two-hour webinar covers the latest rule changes for lithium battery shipments. Attendees get a copy of the presentation, expertly designed reference materials, and a Certificate of Achievement.