UN 38.3 Test Summary Report

For safety reasons, lithium batteries must undergo a series of design tests authorized by the UN (subsection 38.3 of the UN Manual).

These rules do not introduce any new tests that need to be carried out. The rules only concern the provision of information about tests already carried out by the manufacturer of lithium batteries or cells. In accordance with the revised supplement to UN Guideline 38.3.5, it is now required that lithium battery test reports be available in the form of a test summary available to the supply chain. These summary data confirm that the batteries have been tested for compliance with the specified safety requirements.

If you are shipping batteries or products containing batteries, you should be aware of the new regulations that have come into force regarding the results of lithium battery tests.

Let's take a closer look at what these rules are and what they may mean to you. Organizations, including IATA, IMO, IMDG Code, ICAO Technical Instructions and possibly other national and international regulations for the transport of dangerous goods, have required manufacturers and distributors of lithium cells, batteries and equipment powered by lithium cells and batteries to provide a brief description of the tests, as indicated by the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sixth Revised Edition, Amendment 1, Part III, subsection 38.3, paragraph 38.3.5.

These summary data confirm that the batteries or cells have been tested for compliance with the specified international safety requirements. The requirement applies to all lithium batteries or cells manufactured since July 1, 2003, and applies to both cells and batteries, including those contained in the product.

These rules do not introduce any new tests. Fortunately, the new rules only require the provision of information about tests already carried out by the manufacturer of the lithium battery or cell. In addition, this information does not need to be attached to the batteries or even supplied with them, it should be available only to those who request it. The requirement applies to all lithium batteries or cells manufactured as of July 1, 2003, including those contained in the product.

For safety reasons, all lithium batteries undergo a series of design tests authorized by the UN (subsection 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria). These rules only concern the provision of information about tests already carried out by the manufacturer of lithium batteries or cells. In accordance with the revised supplement to UN Guideline 38.3.5, it is now required that lithium battery test reports be available in the form of a test summary available to the supply chain. These summary data confirm that the batteries have been tested for compliance with the specified safety requirements.

One of the most important aspects of the test summary requirements is that the summaries should be standardized and include the same important information. According to the PHMSA manual, a proper test summary should include :

• The name of the manufacturer of the cell, battery or product, if applicable. Contact information of the battery, battery or product manufacturer, including address, phone number, email address and website for more information.
• The name of the testing laboratory, including the address, phone number, email address and website for more information.
• The unique identification number of the test report.
• Date of the test report.
• The description of the cell or battery should include at least:
  • Definition - lithium-ion or lithium-metal cell or battery.
  • The mass of the cell or battery.
  • Rated power in watt-hours or lithium content.
  • Physical description of the cell/battery.
  • Model numbers.
• A list of tests performed and results (for example, passed or failed).
• Reference to the test requirements of the assembled battery, if applicable (e.g. 38.3.3 (f) and 38.3.3 (g)).
• A signature indicating the name and position of the signatory as a sign of the validity of the information provided.

* For a more detailed analysis and recommendations regarding the consolidated requirements for testing lithium batteries, you can read with an official IATA document .

All information does not have to be attached to the batteries or even sent with them, but should be available only to those who request it. It is acceptable to require this document in electronic form. The cell/battery/product must be guaranteed to have the appropriate identifiers that match the test summary.

As regulatory requirements for lithium batteries become more complex, supply chains will need more information about the batteries and the cells they work with to ensure compliance, namely:

• Compliance with the requirements regarding the presence of cells or batteries from other manufacturers in the equipment.
• Implementation of an appropriate system to meet the new requirements.
• The difficulty of checking or receiving a test summary from some cell or battery manufacturers.