As adoption of electric cars, e-bikes increase and lithium batteries become lighter and last longer, the number of products relying on lithium batteries will only continue to grow.
Though a practical and efficient way to store energy, lithium batteries, if not properly designed, tested and manufactured can fail and catch fire. In addition, the stored energy and flammable electrolyte in the battery means that they must be prepared properly for shipping to reduce the potential risk to the transport system.
To help address this, we’ve put together the LBSR; a manual with all the information manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, freight forwarders and others in the supply chain need to ensure compliance when shipping lithium batteries.
Order the LBSR online
The LBSR is available in English in print and digital formats. All versions are updated annually. Digital products come with automatic updates for the year and a search function that makes finding up-to-date information easy. And, they're cheaper.
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2023 Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations (LBSR)
2023 Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations (LBSR)
What's inside the LBSR?
Making a mistake with marking, labelling or packaging products with lithium batteries can at best cause delays. At worst, the battery could fail or short circuit causing a fire. The LBSR covers all aspects of the shipping process from packaging requirements, labelling, marking and what to do if something goes wrong en route.
- Applicability (definitions, shipper responsibilities, caution, training, dangerous good security)
- Regulations (international legislation, dangerous goods carried by passengers, variations by state and operator, UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, subsection 38.3 )
- Classification (UN Numbers, Class 9 substances, classification scenarios, testing)
- Identification (list of dangerous goods, special provisions)
- Packing (combination packaging, quantity limits, UN specifications, overpacks, instructions, examples)
- UN specification packaging performance tests (test frequency, drop test, stacking test, reports, suppliers)
- Marking and labelling (marks, specifications, shipper’s responsibilities, examples)
- Documentation (declaration form instructions and examples, waybills,)
- Acceptance (checklists, refusals)
- Emergency response
Still not sure if the LBSR is for you? Download the full table of contents:
Stay up-to-date
The IATA Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations (LBSR) is constantly updated to help you stay compliant and avoid mistakes that may result in delays, added costs and in the worst case fines for prosecution!
The key changes in the 2022 edition of the LBSR include:
- The List (2.3.1.3) and List of State Variations (2.3.2) have been revised to include territories that are subject to the jurisdiction of a State where that State has advised of variations to the provisions of these Regulations
- Packing Instructions PI 965 and PI 968 have been revised to remove Section II from these two packing instructions. To provide shippers with time to adapt their logistics processes to ship lithium cells and batteries in accordance with Section IB of Packing Instruction 965 and Packing Instruction 968, as applicable, there is a 3-month transition period until 31 March 2022, during which time shippers may continue to use Section II
- Packing Instructions PI 966 and PI 969 have been revised to clarify the packing options for Section 1, which are:
- The lithium cells or batteries are packed in a UN specification packaging, then placed with the equipment in a strong rigid outer packaging: or
- The cells or batteries are packed with the equipment in a UN specification packaging