The “UN 3481 Lithium-ion batteries contained in or packaged with equipment” standard developed by the United Nations (UN) describes the requirements for lithium-ion batteries contained in or packaged with equipment.
Many people assume that shipping lithium-ion batteries is safe. However, this is not always the case. There are a number of regulations in place to ensure the safety of those transporting them. In fact, there are a number of factors to consider when trying to determine what packaging and method to use when transporting lithium-ion batteries. These are governed by a number of UN regulations, specifically standards UN3480, UN 3481 and UN3090, as well as rules set by various shipping organizations (e.g. IATA, the International Air Transport Association).
Lithium batteries are used as power sources for a range of products, from electric cars to power tools to cell phones. Lithium batteries are essentially divided into two different groups: lithium metal batteries and lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium metal batteries are generally non-rechargeable and contain metallic lithium. These types of batteries generally have a higher energy density than similar non-rechargeable batteries and are commonly used to power devices such as calculators, hearing aids, pacemakers, and wristwatches.
Lithium-ion batteries are a newer technology. These types of batteries do not contain metallic lithium, but they retain the high energy density of lithium-metal batteries and have the advantage of being rechargeable. Although they are considered more stable and safer than lithium-metal batteries, they still pose a significant risk. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in products such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
However, lithium batteries can be extremely dangerous, meaning they are technically classified as hazardous materials. This is why the transportation of lithium-ion batteries is so important. A number of unexplained aircraft disasters have been linked to lithium batteries catching fire during flights. These disasters are often attributed to short-circuiting batteries, which can lead to fires. Unprotected batteries can cause an electrical short circuit by touching them, which can then spread out and cause a chain reaction that can release a large amount of energy.
Lithium batteries can also be prone to thermal runaway. At a certain temperature, battery cells begin to release hot gases, which increase the temperature in neighboring batteries. This eventually leads to ignition and fire. Therefore, large amounts of batteries pose a significant safety risk, especially when shipped by air. A relatively minor incident can lead to an uncontrollable fire.
Consequently, lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials and must be handled, stored, and transported as specified by standards such as UN 3480 and UN 3481. The transport of lithium batteries is effectively covered by four United Nations standards. However, these contain numerous details that can affect the precise process to be followed to ensure safe transport (or at least minimize risk as much as possible). Lithium batteries are now classified as Class 9 material and are referred to as various hazardous goods.
Specific United Nations regulations covering the transport of these batteries include:
There are different labeling requirements for packaging used to transport lithium batteries. These requirements vary based on the following four main factors:
The transit of any hazardous material (including lithium batteries) must be organised by people with appropriate training and knowledge, or the shipment itself must be carried out by qualified companies and experts.
Our organization has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies provided for businesses in various sectors, there are also testing services in accordance with the "UN 3481 Lithium-ion batteries in equipment or packaged with equipment" standard.
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