Business groups seek better enforcement of lithium battery regulations

Trade associations representing air cargo interests and U.S. and European rechargeable battery suppliers on Monday called on governments to more strictly enforce lithium battery safety regulations.    Trade associations representing air cargo interests, in conjunction with U.S. and European rechargeable battery suppliers, on Monday called on governments to more strictly enforce lithium battery safety regulations to prevent accidents during transport.
   The International Air Transport Association (IATA), PRBA (the U.S. Rechargeable Battery Association), RECHARGE (the European Advanced Rechargeable and Lithium Battery Association), the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) and the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) said more should be done to ensure unsafe batteries are not shipped, in a joint letter to ministers of Trade, Industry and Transport; and directors of civil aviation in the world’s largest lithium battery manufacturing and export countries.
   In addition, the letter called for implementation of cooperative enforcement initiatives between jurisdictions to address situations in which lithium batteries manufactured in one state are driven over a border to be flown from another state. The global associations also called for significant fines and custodial sentences to be imposed on those who circumvent the regulations.
   “Safety is aviation’s top priority. Airlines, shippers and manufacturers have worked hard to establish rules that ensure lithium batteries can be carried safely,” IATA Diector General Tony Tyler said. “But the rules are only effective if they are enforced and backed-up by significant penalties. Government authorities must step up and take responsibility for regulating rogue producers and exporters. And flagrant abuses of dangerous goods shipping regulations, which place aircraft and passenger safety at risk, must be criminalized.”
   “The actions of a minority threaten to undermine confidence in legitimate battery and product manufacturers. This a matter of deep concern for our members,” PRBA Executive Director George A. Kerchner said.
   IATA and the PRBA have repeatedly called upon governments to address the danger posed by the willful disregard of the international regulations by rogue manufacturers and shippers and to close existing legal loopholes that prevent prosecutions of serial offenders. Lack of enforcement is increasing pressure on airlines and regulators to unilaterally ban all forms of lithium battery shipments from aircraft. This would add to the cost of global supply chains and consumer goods, and encourage those who flout the law to increase mislabeling of batteries, further increasing safety and security risks.
   “A ban on the shipment of lithium ion batteries aboard aircraft would put lives at risk by slowing delivery of life-critical and life-enhancing medical equipment and jeopardize the security of many countries because a large number of military applications are powered by lithium batteries,” Kerchner said.