In response to Neils comments stating his belief that batteries are already subject to the UN tests and regulations I took this up with the CAA. The response I have just received is :
- All lithium batteries are currently required to be of a type where both the cells and the batteries have successfully passed the UN tests when sent as cargo.
- The requirements for passengers are slightly different currently since there is no specific requirement that the cells and batteries must be of a type that has been tested, but as indicated previously, this will be changing by 2013 at the latest.
Other points of consideration given are :
- For those people shipping them, they shouldn’t assume that they have been tested, since we have come across a number of companies in the UK that have sourced cells or batteries from other companies and have found that they haven’t been tested.
- Equally, there have been some companies that have bought batches of cells that have been tested and then used those to produce battery packs for specific products, without realising that they then need to subject the completed packs to the same tests.
- Even more worryingly, there are some parts of the World where it is common practice to produce certificates saying that the tests have been carried out when they haven’t.
- In practice, most commercially available batteries will have been tested, such as those used in laptops, cell phones, watches etc, so it is the more specialised types of batteries where some care will be needed.
I hope that helps clarify a few things... 