Master Lithium-Ion Battery 
Safety & Compliance Training

Anyone who ships Li-ion batteries must complete lithium-ion battery safety training. That requirement doesn't just apply to the workers who physically transport cargo by truck, plane or vessel.

Every person along the shipment supply chain needs appropriate training, including warehouse staff, operations personnel, compliance officers, freight forwarders, EHS managers, logistics staff, managers, pickers, packers and more.

If you sell, process, ship or transport Li-ion power cells (whether they are standalone products or included in devices like phones, power tools, computers or EVs), you need these courses.

The right level of safety education depends on the type of battery products you work with and your job role.

Designated lithium battery shippers, HAZMAT shipping specialists and other personnel who work closely with batteries, especially fully regulated, non-excepted Class 9 power cells, should invest in our Lithium Battery Compliance course. This program is fully compliant with IATA, DOT/49 CFR and IMDG codes.

If you only occasionally ship battery-powered equipment, ship only excepted batteries, deliver limited quantities of low-powered cells or consumer electronics, or serve in a transportation support role, you should complete Lithium Battery Awareness Training.

Small lithium or li-ion batteries, usually those designed for use by end consumers, qualify for special shipping exceptions. These excepted items are exempt from the full DG regulations for packing, marking, shipping or documenting lithium batteries.

To qualify, an exempt battery must usually:

• Contain less than 1 gram or 2 grams of lithium, depending on the type of battery (metal or li-ion)
• Be rated below 20 watt hours (Wh) for lithium-ion cells or 100 Wh for lithium-ion batteries

These small, low-voltage products must still meet less restrictive packaging and labeling requirements. For more information about DG exemptions, consult Section 173.185 of U.S. HMR, Special Provision A45 of IATA DGR or Special Provision 188 of the UN Recommendations on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations.

There is no formal certification program for shipping lithium-ion batteries. Regulatory bodies like DOT, IATA or IMO do not endorse training, certify individuals or approve instructors.

However, our Lithium Battery Compliance course is a complete multimodal safety solution aligned with the standards of those groups. The course meets all relevant federal and international training requirements for every mode of transportation.

Students who complete the program can instantly download a Certificate of Completion demonstrating mastery of all major shipping requirements, including classification, packaging, marking, labeling, documentation and modal restrictions.

Lithium-ion batteries comprise a large number of rechargeable power cells commonly used in consumer electronics, toys, power tools, electric vehicles, appliances, power banks and other goods. Often shortened to Li-ion batteries, these power cells contain more than just lithium. They also use a variety of other metals and materials, including cobalt and graphite.

They are closely related to other consumer-grade power storage solutions. Lithium designs are primary cell batteries, which cannot be recharged once drained. These are used a single time and should be properly disposed of once discharged.

Li-ion designs are secondary power cells, meaning they can be recharged and used over and over again. Over time, the anode wears down, becoming less efficient at storing and discharging a current. Eventually, they cease functioning or become dangerously degraded and must be carefully disposed of at the end of their functional life.

These aren't the only energy storage solutions available. Familiar store-bought batteries like AA, AAA, C or D cells are made of cheaper alkaline materials with short, non-rechargeable lifespans. Meanwhile, manufacturers are making significant progress in developing effective sodium-ion devices made from safe, stable and abundant chemicals.

At this time, Li-ion cells are by far the most common energy source for popular consumer electronics and hand-held devices.

Yes. Because of the power-dense liquid electrolyte contained inside, this type of device is both a fire hazard and an explosion hazard. Worn or damaged cells may rupture, spilling corrosive chemicals. The electrolyte is highly flammable, burns at extremely hot temperatures and is very hard to extinguish without specialized emergency response equipment.

Because of this, Li-ion cells are considered Class 9 Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials. This information is found on the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT), located in 49 CFR 172.101 of the DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). This classification mirrors the UN's international standards, codified in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

Depending on the way the battery is sold, packaged and transported, it may be assigned a specific UN number, including:

No single regulatory body sets all the rules for shipping lithium-ion batteries. Many government and professional bodies cooperate to create and enforce a full system for the safe, legal transportation of Li-ion electrical storage devices.

These three groups are the major sources of shipping restrictions for this class of product.

• The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) — DOT oversees all major modes of transportation for domestic shipments within the United States. DOT rules are found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Individual modal restrictions are usually enforced by the corresponding subsidiary agency.

  For ground transportation, that might include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) monitors domestic air shipments. And the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) weighs in on all shipments that include HAZMAT goods.

• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) — Not a government agency, IATA is a trade group made up of most global airlines. Using expert guidance, IATA authors the definitive set of international aviation standards, including HAZMAT handling guidelines.

  The ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) define the required safety training for Li-ion battery shippers.

• The International Maritime Organization (IMO) — Established by the United Nations, IMO manages lithium battery safety rules for international shipping by sea in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

  The IMDG Code is referenced by both the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Together, 49 CFR, IATA DGR and the IMDG Code make up the required safety protocols for packaging, labeling and shipping batteries.

CFR standards apply everywhere inside the United States. DGR and IMDG Code rules are global, international restrictions. As a result, our online safety course applies to all 50 states and all U.S. territories.

Your Certificate of Completion does not expire. Designated shippers of regulated power cells should complete refresher training every two years.

Ground vehicle shippers must complete refresher training every 36 months under 49 CFR 172.704. Air shippers must update their HAZMAT employee training every 24 months under IATA DGR 1.5.

Students can complete our comprehensive online training course in approximately six hours. This end-to-end compliance education explores all applicable hazardous materials regulations.

Our lithium-ion battery safety awareness training course can be finished in approximately two hours. This is the perfect choice for any personnel with limited exposure to shipping lithium battery products and consumer electronics.

Workers who are exposed to or who ship controlled materials may require additional HAZMAT training according to OSHA, DOT or IATA.

• Emergency responders and others involved in cleaning up uncontrolled releases of harmful substances may need Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training.
• Professionals involved in the transportation or handling of additional HAZMAT substances may be required to complete DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation training within 90 days of starting work.
• Anyone involved in transporting restricted materials by air travel is required to complete mandatory IATA DGR training.

If you're not sure which requirements apply to your role, contact your employer for more information.