Release of IATA DGR 66 Edition | Revision of lithium battery transportation rules

IATA (International Air Transport Association) issued the 66th edition of DGR (Dangerous Goods Rules), which will take effect on January 1st, 2025.

The new version of DGR (version 66) has the following changes about batteries

1. Add UN number.

★ UN 3551 sodium ion battery

★ UN 3552 sodium ion battery is installed in the equipment.

★ UN 3552 sodium ion battery is packaged with the equipment.

★ UN 3556 vehicle, powered by lithium-ion battery

★ UN 3557 vehicle, powered by lithium metal battery.

★ UN 3558 vehicle, powered by sodium ion battery.

Note: In the DGR version 66, vehicles driven by lithium batteries are no longer transported according to UN 3171, but there is a transition period. Before March 31, 2025, vehicles driven by lithium batteries can also be transported according to UN 3171. After March 31st, 2025, vehicles powered by lithium batteries can only be transported according to UN 3556 or UN 3557.

2. Packaging

2.1 new packaging clauses pi 976, pi 977 and pi 978:

For the organic electrolyte sodium ion battery, three packaging terms PI 976, PI 977 and PI 978 are added, which are as follows:

◆ PI 976-UN 3551, sodium ion battery;

◆ PI 977-UN 3552, sodium ion battery and equipment are packed together;

◆ PI 978-UN 3552, sodium ion battery is installed in the equipment.

2.2 Li-ion batteries PI966,PI967 and lithium metal batteries PI969,PI970

The following packaging instruction chapters add 3m stacking test requirements:

PI966-II、PI967-I/II、PI969-II、PI970-I/II

The following packaging instruction chapters add the charge requirements:

★ PI 966-I：

◆ By December 31, 2025, it is recommended that the power of batteries or batteries should not exceed 30%.

◆ From January 1, 2026, the power of batteries or batteries shall not exceed 30%.

★ PI 966-II：

◆ By December 31, 2025, it is recommended that the power of batteries or batteries should not exceed 30%.

◆ From January 1, 2026, the power of batteries or batteries above 2.7Wh shall not exceed 30%.

◆ It is recommended that the power of batteries or batteries with 2.7 Wh or less should not exceed 30%.

★ PI 967-I/II：

It is recommended that the electric quantity of battery core or battery should not exceed 30%; Or the suggested capacity of equipment shall not exceed 25%.

3. Label

◆ 3.1 "Lithium Battery Label" was renamed as "Battery Label"

◆ 3.2 "Lithium battery labeled for dangerous goods in category IX" was renamed as "Lithium ion and sodium ion battery labeled for dangerous goods in category IX".

Warm tips

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