[EN-AIR] "TIACA" : Proposed U.S Lithium Battery Flight Rules 'Unreasonable'

THE International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has called upon the US government to review proposed regulations on moving lithium batteries by air, warning they would undermine the air cargo sector, as well as manufacturers, retailers and consumers of electronic goods.

TIACA said new rules that come from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are "wholly unreasonable" and are at odds with standards set by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The biggest deviations is the elimination of exemptions for small, consumer batteries, those with a lithium content of less than 0.3 grams or 3.7 watt-hours would be subject to bellyhold stowage.

The change would require lithium batteries, widely used in consumer electronic products, emergency medical devices, hybrid, vehicles, and electric vehicles to be stowed in a crew-accessible location unless they are shipped in an FAA-approved container or a class-C cargo compartment.

Most cargo freighters do not have class-C compartments, said the TIACA statement.

"We recognize that PHMSA is proposing this rule with the intention of enhancing safety, and we commend it for that objective." TIACA secretary general Daniel Fernandez said.

"However, TIACA believes that safety and security measures should be taken in a manner that sensibly addresses the realities of the threat and, to the extent possible, minimises the disruption to commercial operations.

TIACA believes aspects of the proposed rule falls short of that standard and should be revised," he said.

Mr Fernandez also noted that with a 75-day activation period, the new laws would be impossible for carriers to accommodate in the time given, and would likely result in less space for lithium battery shipments, and a more complicated lading process, where operators would have to conduct further inspections of containers.

Instead, TIACA advocates stricter enforcement of ICAO standards.

Source : HKSG, 12.04.10.