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Iata, lithium industry bodies call for stricter transport enforcement for lithium batteries

15th August 2016

By: Natasha Odendaal

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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Pressure is mounting on airlines and regulators to “unilaterally ban” all forms of lithium-ion battery shipments from being delivered by air amid a lack of enforcement of the international regulations governing their transport.

The abuse of dangerous goods shipping regulations, which places aircraft and passenger safety at risk, has left the industry concerned, spurring the International Air Transport Association (Iata) to join forces with lithium battery supply chain industry leaders to have lithium battery safety regulations enforced at the point of origin.

“Safety is aviation’s top priority. Airlines, shippers and manufacturers have worked hard to establish rules that ensure lithium batteries can be carried safely. But the rules are only effective if they are enforced and backed up by significant penalties,” said Iata CEO and director-general Tony Tyler.

However, an all-out ban on the air shipment of lithium-ion batteries could place further lives at risk, as the delivery of life-critical and life-enhancing medical equipment could be slowed significantly.

Further, in addition to jeopardising national security across the globe, as a large number of military applications are powered by lithium batteries, prohibiting lithium batteries on aircraft will lead to a surge in global supply chains and consumer goods costs.

It will also likely lead to an increase in the mislabelling of batteries, thereby further increasing safety and security risks.

“The actions of a minority threaten to undermine confidence in legitimate battery and product manufacturers. This a matter of deep concern for our members," says US-based rechargeable battery association PRBA executive director George Kerchner.

PRBA has previously sought more aggressive enforcement measures to address the danger posed by noncompliant air shipments of lithium batteries, with Kercher repeatedly suggesting enforced safety regulations at the point of origin, including the initial shipper and the battery manufacturer, better coordination among regulators, airlines, freight forwarders and the battery industry and the identification of “repeat offenders”.

“Significant monetary penalties should be levied against companies who knowingly violate regulations,” he added.

Now Iata, along with PRBA, European advanced rechargeable and lithium battery association Recharge, the Global Shippers Forum and the International Air Cargo Association have sent a joint letter to the Ministers of Trade, Industry and Transport and directors of Civil Aviation in the world’s largest lithium battery manufacturing and export countries, demanding stricter enforcement of international regulations regarding the transport of lithium batteries.

“Iata and the PRBA have repeatedly called on governments to address the danger posed by the wilful disregard of the international regulations by rogue manufacturers and shippers and to close existing legal loopholes that prevent prosecutions of serial offenders,” the parties said in a statement.

“The letter also called for implementation of cooperative enforcement initiatives between jurisdictions to address situations where lithium batteries manufactured in one State are driven over a border to be flown from another State.”

Significant fines and custodial sentences should also be the outcomes for those circumventing the regulations, the letter noted.

“Government authorities must step up and take responsibility for regulating rogue producers and exporters. And flagrant abuses of dangerous goods shipping regulations . . . must be criminalised," Tyler concluded.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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