§  173.185 Lithium batteries and cells.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, a lithium cell or battery is authorized for transportation only if it conforms to the provisions of this section. For the purposes of this subchapter, "lithium content" means the mass of lithium in the anode of a lithium metal or lithium alloy cell, except in the case of a lithium ion cell where the "equivalent lithium content" in grams is calculated to be 0.3 times the rated capacity in ampere-hours. The lithium-equivalent content of a battery equals the sum of the grams of lithium-equivalent content contained in the component cells of the battery.

(b) Exceptions. Cells and batteries are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter if they meet the following requirements:

(1) Each cell with a liquid cathode may contain not more than 0.5 g of lithium content. Each cell with a solid cathode may contain not more than 1.0 g of lithium content. Each lithium ion cell may contain not more than 1.5 g of equivalent lithium content;

(2) Each battery with a liquid cathode may contain an aggregate quantity of not more than 1.0 g of lithium content. Each battery with a solid cathode may contain an aggregate quantity of not more than 2.0 g of lithium content. Each lithium-ion battery may contain an aggregate quantity of not more than 8.0 grams of equivalent lithium content;

(3) Each cell or battery containing a liquid cathode must be hermetically sealed;

(4) Cells and batteries must be packed in such a way so as to prevent short circuits and must be packed in strong packagings, except when installed in equipment; and

(5) If when fully charged, the aggregate lithium content of the anodes in a liquid cathode battery is more than 0.5 g, or the aggregate lithium content of the anodes in a solid cathode battery is more than 1.0 g, then the battery may not contain a liquid or gas that is a hazardous material according to this subchapter unless the liquid or gas, if free, would be completely absorbed or neutralized by other materials in the battery.

(c) Additional exceptions. Cells and batteries also are not subject to this subchapter if they meet the following requirements:

(1) The lithium content of the anode of each cell, when fully charged, is not more than 5 g;

(2) The aggregate lithium content of the anodes of each battery, when fully charged, is not more than 25 g;

(3) Each cell or battery is of the type proven to be non-dangerous by testing in accordance with tests in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (see §  171.7 of this subchapter). Such testing must be carried out on each type of cell or battery prior to the initial transport of that type; and

(4) Cells and batteries are designed or packed in such a way as to prevent short circuits under conditions normally encountered in transportation.

(d) Cells and batteries and equipment containing cells and batteries which were first transported prior to January 1, 1995, and were assigned to Class 9 on the basis of the requirements of this subchapter in effect on October 1, 1993, may continue to be transported in accordance with the applicable requirements in effect on October 1, 1993.

(e) Cells and batteries may be transported as items of Class 9 if they meet the requirements in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(7) of this section:

(1) Each cell and battery must be equipped with an effective means of preventing external short circuits.

(2) Each cell and battery must incorporate a safety venting device or be designed in a manner that will preclude a violent rupture under conditions normally incidental to transportation.

(3) Batteries containing cells or series of cells connected in parallel must be equipped with effective means, (such as diodes, fuses, etc.) as necessary to prevent dangerous reverse current flow.

(4) Cells and batteries must be packed in inner packagings in such a manner as to effectively prevent short circuits and to prevent movement which could lead to short circuits.

(5) Cells and batteries must be packaged in packagings conforming to the requirements of part 178 of this subchapter at the Packing Group II performance level: Inner packagings must be packed within metal boxes (4A or 4B), wooden boxes (4C1, 4C2, 4D or 4F), fiberboard boxes (4G), solid plastic boxes (4H2), fiber drums (1G), metal drums (1A2 or 1B2), plywood drums (1D), plastic jerricans (3H2), or metal jerricans (3A2 or 3B2).

(6) Each cell or battery must be of the type proven to meet the lithium battery requirements in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (see §  171.7 of this subchapter).

(7) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, cells or batteries may not be offered for transportation or transported if any cell has been discharged to the extent that the open circuit voltage is less than two volts or is less than 2/3 of the voltage of the fully charged cell, whichever is less.

(f) Equipment containing or packed with cells and batteries meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section is excepted from all other requirements of this subchapter.

(g) Equipment containing or packed with cells and batteries may be transported as items of Class 9 if the batteries and cells meet all requirements of paragraph (e) of this section and are packaged as follows:

(1) Equipment containing cells and batteries must be packed in a strong outer packaging that is waterproof or has a waterproof liner, unless the equipment is made waterproof by nature of its construction. The equipment must be secured within the outer packaging and be packed as to effectively prevent movement, short circuits, and accidental operation during transport; and

(2) Cells and batteries packed with equipment must be packed in inner packagings conforming to (e)(5) of this section in such a manner as to effectively prevent movement and short circuits.

(h) Cells and batteries, for disposal, may be offered for transportation or transported to a permitted storage facility and disposal site by motor vehicle when they meet the following requirements:

(1) Be equipped with an effective means of preventing external short circuits; and

(2) Be packed in a strong outer packaging conforming to the requirements of §§  173.24 and 173.24a. The packaging need not conform to performance requirements of part 178 of this subchapter.

(i) Cells and batteries and equipment containing or packed with cells and batteries which do not comply with the provisions of this section may be transported only if they are approved by the Associate Administrator.

(j) For testing purposes, when not contained in equipment, cells and batteries may be offered for transportation or transported by highway as items of Class 9. Packaging must conform with paragraph (e)(5) of this section.

[66 FR 8647, Feb. 1, 2001; 66 FR 33430, June 21, 2001, as amended at 66 FR 45379, Aug. 28, 2001; 67 FR 15743, Apr. 3, 2002]