Validity UN38.3 test or UN 38.3 test summary
There is no expiry date for UN 38.3 tests or UN 38.3 test summaries. If you are asked for documents that are a maximum of 2 years old or for a current document from 2024, there may be a number of reasons for this.
None of these reasons come from the transport regulations (ADR, IMDG Code, ICAO TI/IATA DGR, 49CFR).
Reason 1: Maximum 2 years old
Here, the standardised update that many companies have established for safety data sheets for chemical substances may be the reason for the requirement made by the carrier or shipping company. This is to ensure that there has been no change to the product that would result in a changed classification in accordance with the current transport regulations.
Reason 2: Maximum 2 years old
Another reason for the maximum 2 years old is the rotation of changes to the regulations and the desire of forwarders, shipowners or airlines to find a reference to the current transport regulations in the UN 38.3 test summary. This also has the background that a possible change to the article could have led to a change in the classification.
Reason 3: Dated from the current year
This is usually due to the fact that the lithium cells or batteries have the People's Republic of China on their route or are being transported on a Chinese ship or aircraft.
For some years now, China has stipulated that every year a testing institute must confirm that each lithium cell and battery also complies with the current version of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria referenced in the regulations.
For this purpose, a column can simply be integrated into your existing test summaries, which is updated annually and looks like this, for example:
Device/Model Name | Device/Model No. | Battery Model No. | Date of Test Report | referenced revised edition and amendment of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria | For export from People's Republic of China:UN 38.3 Test results comply to |
LiBS XY123 | 0123456 | 777888 | 09.01.2019 | Rev. 6 Amdt. 1 | Rev. 7, Amdt. 1
|
And in 2025 the last column would be adjusted to: Rev. 8
Reason 4: Generally a demand for everything possible, including current UN 38.3 audit summary
Your freight forwarder may have reserved insufficient space on the next ships and is trying to push back the delivery date by constantly asking for more space. In such cases, it is worth checking the requests directly with us and we will be happy to help you find out the reasons AND, if necessary, find a forwarder, a shipping company or an airline that will accept your consignment promptly.
