ICAO rules become more restrictive on air carriage of lithium batteries

THE UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) has removed or reduced exemptions from a stricter cargo handling regime when moving flammable lithium batteries.

"We have removed or reduced the number of exemptions that are possible. Now, with a very few exceptions, they will have to meet most of the requirements in the technical instructions," said ICAO dangerous goods programme chief Katherine Rooney told Atlanta-area Air Cargo World.

Dr Rooney pointed that initially the United Nations decided that a very small number of batteries can be exempted from most of the requirements using a special provision, if it has met certain UN tests when transporting such goods.

"We had our panel meeting last October; we were unable to come to a final decision on lithium batteries, and we held a special working group of the panel last February. The amendments will come through for 2013."

Under the new rules, pilots must be notified if there are any large shipments of lithium batteries on board, she said.

Asked whether making rules more restrictive was warranted, Dr Rooney said: "Air transport is the only mode of transport where dangerous goods are being transported along with passengers."