ENHANCING LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY IN THE SKIES
Non-Compliance in Battery Shipments
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Due to safety concerns, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations (via 49 CFR 172) require the transportation of batteries not contained in equipment to be at no more than a 30% state-of-charge. An FAA report highlighted that 65% of lithium battery shipments from e-commerce sources violate shipping regulations, including breaches of the state-of-charge requirement. 4 New state-of-charge requirements from ICAO for batteries packed with and contained in equipment go into effect in 2025-2026. Batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, are more susceptible to thermal runaway if fully charged at higher states of charge. 5 6 7 Furthermore, LiBASAC members in past committee meetings shared troubling cases of batteries being removed from compliant packaging and sent via unmarked postal shipments on passenger aircraft. These actions introduce extreme risk to commercial aviation. Recommendation: Provide greater surveillance and enforcement of the existing and soon-to-be implemented state of charge requirements for battery shipments.
Lack of Public Awareness Increases the Risk of Continued Incidents
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The traveling public remains largely unaware of the hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries. Some of the most concerning statistics from airline passenger surveys from UL Standards & Engagement show that while the average passenger carries an average of four rechargeable devices and spare batteries, 50% of Americans know nothing about the power source of these products. Nearly two in five (38%) are packing a lithium-ion battery-powered device in their checked luggage. While prohibited by regulation because firefighting capabilities are limited in the cargo hold, the lack of awareness and the volume of devices being checked poses a clear safety risk. 8
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