In accordance with the Regulations on the Supervision and Management of Safety in the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Railway and other regulations and standards，Consumer lithium batteries with lithium content of not more than 1g (2g), lithium metal batteries (packs) with energy rating of not more than 20Wh (100Wh), and other consumer lithium batteries in accordance with special provisions 78 and 79 of the Railway Dangerous Goods List shall not be transported as dangerous goods when transported by railway.
Specific documents:
State Railway Administration Ministry of Industry and Information Technology China State Railway Group Corporation Guidance on Railway Transportation of Consumer Lithium Battery Cargoes
Regional railway supervisory authorities, competent departments of industry and information technology of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government and municipalities with separate plans, railway bureau group companies, China Railway Container Corporation (CRCC), China Railway Special Cargo Corporation (CRSC), China Railway Express Corporation (CREC):
In order to thoroughly implement the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, to better meet the demand for railway transport of consumer lithium battery goods, and to ensure the safety of railway transport, according to the "Supervision and Administration of Railway Safety in the Transport of Dangerous Goods", "Railway Dangerous Goods List" and other regulations and standards, we put forward the following guiding opinions.
I. General Requirements
Guided by Xi Jinping's thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, deeply implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, based on the new development stage, completely, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, coordinate development and safety, further deepen the structural reform of the supply side of the railway, and expand the supply of high-quality and diversified railway products and services to regulate the conditions of railway transport, strengthen the safety management of railway transport, enhance the security of railway transport, and comprehensively promote the implementation of policies as the basis. Service security, co-ordination and promotion of policy implementation as a guide to guide the work of consumer lithium battery railway transport, to meet the consumer lithium battery railway transport economy, timeliness, facilitation needs, to promote the consumer lithium battery logistics and transport cost reduction and efficiency, to ensure the stability of the industrial chain of supply chain, and to better serve the construction of a new pattern of development.
Second, clear consumer lithium battery goods railway transport regulations
(A) the scope of consumer lithium battery goods. Consumer lithium battery goods is mainly used for mobile phones, portable computers, digital cameras, electric toys, mobile power and other consumer electronics lithium metal batteries (groups), lithium-ion batteries (groups) goods, belonging to the ninth category of dangerous goods, in the "railway dangerous goods list" (TB/T 30006-2022) in the iron hazardous No. 91042, 91043, 91045, 91046.
(ii) Railway transport regulations. According to the Regulations on the Safety Supervision and Management of the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Railway and other regulations and standards, consumer lithium batteries with lithium content of not more than 1g (2g) lithium metal batteries (packs), lithium-ion batteries (packs) with energy rating of not more than 20Wh (100Wh), etc., which are in line with the special provisions of the List of Dangerous Goods by Railway (TB/T 30006-2022) are not transported by railways as dangerous goods.
When transported by railway, they can be handled by both parties in accordance with this guidance and the relevant provisions on the transport of goods by railway; when transported by China-Europe liner and other international railway intermodal transport, they should also comply with the relevant provisions on international intermodal transport.
Belongs to the "railway dangerous goods list" special provisions listed in the scope of 72 consumer lithium batteries (such as defective safety, breakage, recycling or disposal of lithium batteries, etc.), should not be transported by rail.
(C) lithium battery manufacturer specifications. Consumer lithium-ion battery manufacturers should be in line with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, "lithium-ion battery industry norms" and "lithium-ion battery industry norms and announcements management approach" requirements.
Third, regulate the conditions of railway transport
(D) to strengthen product safety testing and identification of railway transport conditions. Consignment of consumer lithium batteries, product safety testing and identification of railway transport conditions should be carried out.
Product safety testing by the appropriate qualified testing organisations in accordance with the United Nations "Manual of Tests and Criteria" Part III, Section 38.3 requirements (hereinafter referred to as UN38.3 test), the test report should be clear in the conclusion of the consumer lithium batteries tested in line with UN38.3 test.
Railway transport conditions identified by the qualification of inspection and testing institutions (CMA) and China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) accredited appraisal bodies in accordance with the relevant provisions of the transport of dangerous goods by rail, the conclusions of the appraisal report should be clear: the identification of lithium batteries of the Iron Hazard No., whether it is in line with the "Railway List of Dangerous Goods," the special provisions of 78, 79, whether it can not be transported as dangerous goods Lithium-ion battery manufacturers to meet the "lithium-ion battery industry standard conditions" requirements.
(E) Strengthen the detection of cargo packaging. Consumer lithium battery packaging for railway transport should be in line with the "Packaging for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Railway" (TB/T 2687-2020), to meet the basic technical requirements and performance test requirements, can pass the drop test and stacking test. Railway transport packaging by the appropriate qualifications of the inspection agency inspection.
(F) strengthen consignment management. Shippers to report the transport needs, should truthfully declare the name of the goods, in line with the conditions of consumer lithium battery transport by rail, should be recorded in the shipper's matters indicated in the column "name (iron hazardous number) in line with the special provisions of the 78, 79, not as a dangerous goods transport". Consignment of lithium-ion batteries and battery packs (Iron Hazard No. 91045), the shipper shall ensure that the state of charge (SOC) of the battery does not exceed 30% of the rated capacity of the battery.
Before consignment, the shipper shall submit to the railway transport enterprises product safety test reports, railway transport conditions identification reports, railway transport packaging inspection reports, safety commitments and emergency measures, and the authenticity of the materials provided and lithium battery cargo safety is responsible.
Fourth, strengthen the safety management of railway transport
(G) to strengthen the gatekeeper. Railway transport enterprises to transport consumer lithium batteries, should strengthen the transport of relevant practitioners training, in accordance with the provisions of the shipper's identity and the shipper to submit the relevant information, in accordance with the provisions of the safety inspection of the goods transported, shall not be transported not in accordance with the provisions of the safety inspection of the goods.
(viii) Strengthen the transport organisation. Consumer lithium batteries should be loaded with vehicles and containers in good technical condition, cargo loading in line with the "Technical Requirements for Loading and Reinforcement of Railway Cargo" (TB/T 30004-2021) relevant provisions, to prevent the goods from moving, crushing, tipping, collapsing or falling in the course of transport, to ensure that the safety of goods transport. Loading and unloading of consumer lithium batteries should be in line with the relevant provisions of railway cargo handling safety technology. Loading consumer lithium batteries on the railway vehicle is prohibited to slip.
(Ix) strengthen emergency management. Consumer lithium battery railway loading and unloading and storage sites should be equipped with fire-fighting equipment and safety protection equipment appropriate to the nature of the goods. In the event of an emergency, the railway transport enterprises should work with the shipper or consignee to take appropriate emergency measures in a timely manner, and in accordance with the provisions of the timely report to the relevant departments.
(J) strengthen safety supervision. The regional railway supervision authority should combine the actual situation of the jurisdiction, strengthen the safety supervision of railway transport of consumer lithium batteries, keep abreast of the situation of railway transport, strengthen the joint law enforcement with the relevant departments of the local government, increase the anonymous reporting, misreporting of names and other violations of the transport behaviour of investigation and handling, to ensure the safety of smooth railway transport. Local industry and information technology departments should strengthen the standardisation and management of lithium-ion battery production enterprises in the region, and guide enterprises to carry out production and operation in accordance with the policy requirements of the "Lithium-ion Battery Industry Specification Conditions".
V. Strengthen the railway transport services to protect
(K) to strengthen the policy. Railway transport enterprises to strengthen the consumer lithium battery railway transport policy and relevant regulations and standards through a variety of ways to promote, do a good job of hot questions and answers, revealing hanging publicity, business consulting, etc., to help owners and the public in a timely manner, accurately grasp the consumer lithium battery railway transport of the specific conditions and safety requirements, and to properly respond to social concerns and create a good atmosphere.
(XII) optimise transport services. Railway transport enterprises should adhere to the people-centred development idea, strengthen capacity protection, optimise transport organisation, enrich freight products, innovative service models, improve the speed of delivery of goods, improve the information enquiry service of goods in transit, and continuously improve the quality and efficiency of transport services, better serve the national strategy and the people's production and life.
Sixth, co-ordinate and promote the implementation of policies
(M) establish a sound working mechanism. Regional Railway Supervision Administration, the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, municipalities with separate plans, industry and information technology departments and railway transport enterprises to establish a sound working mechanism, play the professional advantages of all parties, dynamic grasp of consumer lithium battery producers and demand for rail transport, and timely coordination to solve the problems of rail transport.
(XIV) strengthen the daily supervision and guidance. Railway Supervision Administration in all regions to work with relevant departments and units to do a good job of consumer lithium battery railway transport, strengthen policy guidance, work coordination and supervision of implementation. Railway transport enterprises to strengthen the railway freight handling station business guidance, refine and improve the business process, operating standards and management system, and promote the implementation of consumer lithium battery railway transport policy.
Appendix: "Railway Dangerous Goods List" (TB/T 30006-2022) special provisions 78, 79, 72
State Railway Administration Ministry of Industry and Information Technology State Railway Corporation of China Ltd.
11 October 2023
(This is for public release)
Appendix
List of dangerous goods on railway (TB/T 30006-2022)
Special Provisions 78, 79, 72
78. shall fulfil all of the following requirements:
a) Each cell or battery type is verified to meet the requirements of each test in Section 38.3 of Part 3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Revision 7).
b) Each cell and battery is fitted with a safety vent or is designed to be inherently resistant to bursting under normal conditions of transport.
c) Each cell and battery is fitted with effective protection against external short-circuiting.
d) Each battery pack consisting of more than one cell or series of cells connected in parallel shall be assembled using an effective method (e.g. diodes, fuses, etc.) to prevent dangerous reverse currents if necessary.
e) Lithium battery packs containing both lithium metal and rechargeable lithium ion cells are not designed to be externally rechargeable, and such battery packs shall comply with the following conditions:
1) Only rechargeable lithium-ion batteries may be charged from lithium metal batteries;
2) Overcharging of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is excluded by design;
3) The battery pack has been tested as a non-rechargeable battery pack;
(4) The type of each cell in the battery shall comply with the test requirements of Section 38.3 of Part 3 of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Revision 7 for the respective type.
f) Except for button cells fitted to equipment (including circuit boards), the manufacturer and ex-factory seller of cells or batteries manufactured after 30 June 2003 shall provide a brief description of the tests specified in paragraph 38.3.5 of Part 3, Section 38.3 of the Manual of Tests and Criteria of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Revision 7).
79. Subject to the requirements of Special Provision 78, batteries or cells are not transported as dangerous goods if they fulfil the following requirements
a) For lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, the lithium content is less than or equal to 1 g. For lithium-ion batteries, the watt-hours rating is less than or equal to 20 Wh.
b) For lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, the combined lithium content is less than or equal to 2 g. For lithium-ion batteries, the watt-hour rating is less than or equal to 100 Wh. Lithium-ion batteries shall have the watt-hour rating marked on the casing.
c) Batteries and battery packs, except when mounted on equipment, shall be completely encased in inner packaging. The batteries and battery packs shall be protected against short circuits, including contact with conductive materials within the same package that could result in a short circuit. The inner packaging shall be placed inside a sturdy outer packaging.
d) Cells and batteries installed in equipment shall be protected from damage and short-circuiting, and the equipment shall be equipped with effective devices to prevent unintentional start-up. This requirement does not apply to devices that are in working condition during transport and do not cause dangerous heat generation. When the battery pack is mounted on the equipment, the equipment shall be packed in a robust outer packaging manufactured from suitable materials of adequate strength and designed to match the capacity and purpose of the packaging, unless the equipment on which the battery pack is mounted is adequately protected.
e) Each package shall bear a lithium battery marking conforming to the provisions of Section 5.2.1.9 of the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Revision 22).
The following exceptions apply:
(1) Packages contain only button cells mounted on equipment (including circuit boards);
2) Packaging pieces containing only less than or equal to 4 cells or 2 battery packs mounted on the equipment, less than or equal to 2 packaging pieces per shipment.
(f) Except for batteries mounted on equipment, each package shall be capable of performing a 1.2m drop test in any direction without damage to the cells or batteries contained therein, without movement of the contents such that the cells and batteries (or batteries and batteries) come into contact with each other, and without release of the contents.
(g) The total weight of each package shall not exceed 30kg, except when the battery pack is mounted on or packed with equipment.
(h) On the shipping documents, it is stated that "the name of the product (iron hazard number), in line with the special provisions of 79, not transported as dangerous goods".
Special Provision 1 is not required to be met when the special provisions of this Article are met.
72. The following lithium batteries shall not be transported: lithium batteries with safety defects; lithium batteries that are damaged in such a way as to cause potential heat, fire or short circuit (e.g. lithium batteries recalled by the manufacturer for safety reasons); waste lithium batteries; and lithium batteries transported for the purpose of recycling or disposal.