Verpackungsanweisung 968

Cargo aircraft only for UN 3090

1. Introduction

This entry applies to lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries. This packing instruction is structured as follows:

- Section IA applies to lithium metal cells with a lithium metal content in excess of 1 g and lithium metal batteries with a lithium metal content in excess of 2 g, which must be assigned to Class 9 and are subject to all of the applicable requirements of these Instructions; and

- Section IB applies to lithium metal cells with a lithium metal content not exceeding 1 g and lithium metal batteries with a lithium metal content not exceeding 2 g

A single cell battery as defined in Part III, sub-section 38.3.2.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria is considered a "cell" and must be transported according to the requirements for "cells" for the purpose of this packing instruction.

2. Batteries forbidden from transport

The following applies to all cells and batteries in this packing instruction: 

Cells or batteries identified as being damaged or defective in accordance with Special Provision A154 are forbidden for transport.

Waste cells or batteries and cells or batteries being shipped for recycling or disposal are forbidden from air transport unless approved by the appropriate national authority of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator.

IA.   SECTION IA

Each cell or battery must meet all the provisions of 2;9.3.

IA.1  General requirements

Part 4;1 requirements must be met.

Table 968-IA

|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                       |    Net quantity per package    |
| UN number and proper shipping name    |--------------------------------|
|                                       |   Passenger   |     Cargo      |
|---------------------------------------|---------------|----------------|
| UN 3090 Lithium metal batteries       |   Forbidden   |     35 kg      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|

IA.2  Additional requirements

- Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuits.

- Cells and batteries must be placed in inner packagings that completely enclose the cell or battery then placed in an outer packaging. The completed package for the cells or batteries must meet the Packing Group II performance requirements.

- Cells and batteries must not be packed in the same outer packaging with substances and articles of Class 1 (explosives) other than Division 1.4S, Division 2.1 (flammable gases), Class 3 (flammable liquids), Division 4.1 (flammable solids) or Division 5.1 (oxidizers).

- A cell or battery with a mass of 12 kg or greater and having a strong, impact-resistant outer casing may be transported when packed in strong outer packagings, in protective enclosures (e.g. in fully enclosed or wooden slatted crates) not subject to the requirements of Part 6 of these Instructions, if approved by the appropriate authority of the State of Origin. A copy of the document of approval must accompany the consignment.

IA.3  Outer packagings

Boxes                       Drums                     Jerricans

Aluminium (4B)              Aluminium (1B2)           Aluminium (3B2)
Fibreboard (4G)             Fibre (1G)                Plastics (3H2)
Natural wood (4C1, 4C2)     Other metal (1N1)         Steel (3A2)
Other metal (4N)            Plastics (1H2)
Plastics (4H1, 4H2)         Plywood (1D)
Plywood (4D)                Steel (1A2)
Reconstituted wood (4F)
Steel (4A)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IB.   SECTION IB

Cells or batteries prepared in accordance with this section are subject to all of the applicable provisions of these Instructions (including the requirements in paragraph 2 of this packing instruction and of this section) except for the provisions of Part 6.

Cells or batteries shipped in accordance with the provisions of Section IB must be described on a dangerous goods transport document as set in Part 5;4. The packing instruction number "968" required by 5;4.1.5.8.1 a) must be supplemented with "IB". All other applicable provisions of Part 5;4 apply.

Cells and batteries may be offered for transport provided that each cell and battery meets the provisions of 2;9.3.1 a), e), f) (if applicable) and g) and the following:

1) for cells, the lithium content is not more than 1 g;

2) for batteries, the aggregate lithium content is not more than 2 g;

IB.1  General requirements

Cells and batteries must be packed in strong outer packagings that conform to Part 4;1.1.1, 1.1.3.1 and 1.1.10 (except 1.1.10.1).

Table 968-IB

|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                       |   Net quantity per package     |
|           Contents                    |--------------------------------|
|                                       |   Passenger   |     Cargo      |
|---------------------------------------|---------------|----------------|
| Lithium metal cells and batteries     |   Forbidden   |   2.5 kg       |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|

IB.2  Additional requirements

- Cells and batteries must be packed in inner packagings that completely enclose the cell or battery then placed in a strong rigid outer packaging.

- Cells and batteries must not be packed in the same outer packaging with substances and articles of Class 1 (explosives) other than Division 1.4S, Division 2.1 (flammable gases), Class 3 (flammable liquids), Division 4.1 (flammable solids) or Division 5.1 (oxidizers).

- Cells and batteries must be protected so as to prevent short circuits. This includes protection against contact with conductive materials within the same packaging that could lead to a short circuit.

- Each package must be capable of withstanding a 1.2 m drop test in any orientation without:

 - damage to cells or batteries contained therein;

 - shifting of the contents so as to allow battery to battery (or cell to cell) contact;

 - release of contents.

- Each package must be capable of withstanding, without damage to the cells or batteries contained therein and without any reduction of effectiveness, a force applied to the top surface equivalent to the total weight of identical packages stacked to a height of 3 m (including the test sample) for a duration of 24 hours.

 Note.- Capability may be demonstrated by testing, assessment or experience.

- Each package must be marked with the battery mark (Figure 5-3) in addition to the appropriate Class 9 hazard label and the cargo aircraft only label (Figure 5-28).

IB.3  Outer packagings

Boxes                        Drums                     Jerricans

Aluminium                    Aluminium                 Aluminium
Fibreboard                   Fibre                     Plastics
Natural wood                 Other metal               Steel
Other metal                  Plastics            
Plastics                     Plywood
Plywood                      Steel
Reconstituted wood
Steel