Which packaging is suitable for "small" lithium cells and lithium batteries?
Question of the day: We are looking for suitable packaging for "small" batteries according to SP 188 for: UN 3090 Lithium metal batteries without equipment + UN 3091 Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment UN 3480 lithium ion batteries without equipment + UN 3481 Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment
Question of the day:
We are looking for suitable packaging for "small" batteries according to SP 188 for:
UN 3090 Lithium metal batteries without equipment + UN 3091 Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment
UN 3480 lithium ion batteries without equipment + UN 3481 Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment
Which packaging is suitable for "small" lithium cells and lithium batteries?
For road transport according to ADR we would like to use a suitable type of packaging, if possible small and regulation compliant.
How big does the box have to be?
Must the label fit completely on one side of the package?
What must the inside look like?
Non-flammable? e.g. Bubble wrap or can
you also use padding paper?
The large online store starting with A… often uses the following packaging solutions for lithium cells and batteries as per SP 188.
Is such a packaging permissible at all?
Our answer:
Suitable packaging has the following specifications:
For the inside of the package according to SP 188, there is only the requirement that the inner packaging must completely enclose the lithium cell resp. lithium battery. This can be an inner cardboard box or a plastic bag.
The lithium cells / lithium batteries must be protected against short circuits and against electrically conductive materials.
For the outer packaging the following applies:
-The inner packaging must be placed in a strong outer packaging. Strong means that it may not be bent by a sorting machine.
- The material must be compatible.
- The inner packaging must not be able move in the outer packaging. Cushioning material may be used to ensure that.
- The readily prepared package must not exceed 30 kg Gross for UN 3090 and UN 3480.
A cardboard packaging would be OK. The air cushion envelopes definitely is not.
Of course the packaging must bear the respective Lithium Battery Mark.
The minimum dimensions for the package would therefore be 10.5 cm x 7.4 cm, so that the reduced size lithium battery mark can still be placed on one package side.
The prepared package must withstand a drop test of 1.2 m.
According to SP 188 this drop test is required for lithium cells / lithium batteries without equipment UN 3090 and UN 3480 and for lithium cells / lithium batteries packed with equipment.
The manufacturer of your package will surely assist you here.
For safety reasons this test of course is not carried out with real lithium cells / lithium batteries but with article dummies of the same size and weight.
If you do not have an unyielding surface then the manufacturer of your packaging will assist you with this drop test.
If you get lithium cells / lithium batteries in air cushioning envelopes then please always send a notification of complaint to the shipper.
And by no means relabel these air cushion envelopes for further forwarding.
Every lithium cell and every lithium battery must be manufactured according to the quality management program described in the transport regulations, including prototypes. And that they have successfully passed the UN Test series 38.3 described in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.
What this Quality Management Program includes, you can find here:
https://www.lithium-batterie-service.de/de/qualitaetsmanagement-programm
The UN test series 38.3 includes the following:
https://www.lithium-batterie-service.de/en/un-38.3-test-series
Our checklist articles include in addition to the checklist for transport preparation all the required marks and labels for your transport case and if necessary an example of the required transport documents.
The checklist article for your transport case you can find via FIND A SINGLE CHECKLIST:
https://www.lithium-batterie-service.de/en/checklist
Our Supplier Inquiry Form can assist you to obtain all necessary information for logistics from the manufacturer or supplier:
https://www.lithium-batterie-service.de/files/552211cce724117c3178e3d22bec532ec/downloads/UN38-3-Test-Summary-and-Supplier-Inquiry-Form-Lithium-Battery-Service-2019-04-02.pdf
From 01.01.2020 onwards a UN 38.3 Test Summary needs to be provided by the manufacturer and any subsequent supplier on request. We have included all required details of the UN 38.3 Test Summary in our Supplier Inquiry Form.
