PHMSA and other DOT staff will meet with representatives of the lithium battery industry to exchange information on the current status of the lithium and lithium ion battery regulations and standards. The meeting will also focus on ways to enhance each party's understanding of the underlying causes of lithium and lithium ion battery incidents.  The following is from the published agenda.

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PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY ASSOCIATION AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MEETING ON STATUS OF CURRENT LITHIUM METAL AND LITHIUM ION BATTERY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

Purpose of the meeting: Exchange of information on the current status of the lithium metal and lithium ion battery regulations and standards and to enhance the understanding of the root cause of lithium metal and lithium ion battery incidents.

Participants: Meeting is open to all interested parties including, but not limited to, cell and battery manufacturers and assemblers, portable electronic equipment manufacturers, battery standards organizations, battery testing laboratories, U.S. Department of Transportation, Consumer Products Safety Commission, National Transportation Safety Board, National Association of State Fire Marshals, Air Transport Association, and Air Line Pilots Association.

Dates/Times: May 24 (1:00 – 5:00 pm); May 25 (8:30 – 11:30 am)
Location: Hyatt Dulles
2300 Dulles Corner Blvd.
Herndon, Virginia 20107
Tel: 703 713 1234
http://dulles.hyatt.com

Agenda

May 24, 2007
1:00 – 1:30 pm   Opening Remarks
1:30 – 2:30 pm   Panel discussion on perspectives of current situations
2:30 – 2:45 pm   Break
2:45 – 4:00 pm   JEITA and BAJ Lithium ion Battery Guidelines
4:00 – 5:00 pm   Testing for Internal Shorts in Lithium ion Cells

May 25, 2007
8:30 – 10:00 am   Review of current lithium metal and lithium ion battery standards work (UL, IEC, IEEE)
10:00 – 10:15 am   Break
10:15 – 11:30 am   Discussion on risks of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries aboard aircraft and likely causes of incidents.  Are current lithium metal and lithium ion battery testing requirements (in 49CFR/UN Model Regulations/ICAO TI) adequate?  (PHMSA, Testing Labs, PRBA)