RM Ban on Lithium-Ion Batteries from Jan 14

[alvoram]

Dec 26, 2012 17:31:18 GMT maccafan said:

That is for batteries shipped with equipment.

There is another section for batteries within equipment..Two different sets of rules..The batteries within equipment applies to ego and lookey likey batteries..

Nope... That is for batteries WITHIN device, the following is for batteries WITH device...

Lithium metal/alloy batteries sent with equipment
(e.g. non-rechargeable batteries found in electronic devices)
UK destinations: Yes
International destinations: No

Follow these packaging guidelines:
The maximum number of batteries allowed in each package is
the minimum number required to power the equipment plus two
spares. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per
package. The lithium content must not be more than 1g per cell or
2g per battery. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to
meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and
Criteria, Part III, section 38.3. Batteries are subject to these tests
irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed
have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured
under a quality management programme as specified in the ICAO
Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods
by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or
that have been damaged, are forbidden. Any person preparing or
offering cells or batteries with or in equipment for transport must
receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate
with their responsibilities. The consignment must be accompanied
with a document with an indication that the package contains
lithium metal cells or batteries; that the package must be handled
with care and that a flammability hazard exists if the package is damaged; that special procedures must be followed in the event
the package is damaged, to include inspection and repacking
if necessary; and also a telephone number for additional
information. Cells and batteries must be packed in inner
packagings that completely enclose the cell or battery. Cells
and batteries must be protected against short circuit, including
protection against contact with conductive materials within the
same packaging that could lead to a short circuit. The equipment
sent with cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid
packaging and must be secured against movement within the
outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation.
Lithium battery handling label to be applied (see page 37). The
sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the
outer packaging. These items must be sent using 1st Class or
2nd Class paid for via franking or on account, Special Delivery,
Royal Mail Tracked® and Royal Mail Sameday® services.

There is a lithium-ion specific section too, but the rules for those sections appear to be the same, but with the addition of Wh limits too...

[maccafan]

Eh? You are posting info about Lithium primary cells ie non-rechargeable batteries..

For rechargeable batteries (Lithium -Ion) it's a different set of rules..No grams calculation in those. This is for rechargeable batteries within device..

The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package. Watt-hour rating must not
exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery.

[andylec]

ive had alot of power tool lithium ion batteries delivered by RM for my makita stuff ,never had a single problem

[timnowvapes]

Going to assume Ridiculous Mail will post these updates out to every single customer, trader, business?

...'cos I've not heard or seen anything about anything

[alvoram]

Dec 27, 2012 22:19:22 GMT maccafan said:

Eh? You are posting info about Lithium primary cells ie non-rechargeable batteries..

For rechargeable batteries (Lithium -Ion) it's a different set of rules..No grams calculation in those. This is for rechargeable batteries within device..

The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per package. Watt-hour rating must not
exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery.

The only difference between the 2 sets of rules is the swapping of a Wh rating for a gram of Li per cell, which I did point out in my last post.

The full set of rules for lithium ion rechargeable cells is as follows.

Each package must contain no more than four cells or two
batteries installed in equipment. The maximum net quantity of
cells or batteries is 5kg per package. Watt-hour rating must not
exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery. Each cell and battery
must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test
in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3.
Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the
cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and
batteries must be manufactured under a quality management
programme as specified in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the
Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that
are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, are
forbidden. Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries with
or in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction
on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit. The
equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong
rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the
outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. The
sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the
outer packaging. These items must be sent using 1st Class or
2nd Class paid for via franking or on account, Special Delivery,
Royal Mail Tracked® and Royal Mail Sameday® services for
destinations within the UK.

So, like I said orginally, pretty much rules out most ecigs...

We're splitting hairs here, and I'm not really sure what your point is. My points were that the list of rules is so extensive, that few products will meet all of those requirements, particularly the "proven to meet the requirements of each test
in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3." But my other point was that, by the looks of the main table posted, the restrictions on Lithium (and Lithium ion ) batteries already in place have not been enforced, they're already prohibited in consumer mail, and limited to tracked commercial mail, most vendors have the option of shipping via good old first class, never heard of a problem yet.

In short, most ecigs will be prohibited, but then again, unless they were sent by business tracked mail, they always were, so will it make much of a difference?

[maccafan]

That's the point I was trying to make..E-cigs will not be prohibited.

Edited to add; The rules change from 10th January 2013 so they are not in force yet to be enforced.

[Meli.]

I'm sure vendors will find a work around, wasn't too long ago you couldn't sell oem software without hardware, vendors started adding small chipsets with every disk in order to comply.
I buy all my batteries off eBay, most are sent in plastic case, how would they know? So long as the item is packaged safely- no static etc. should be fine.
Has anyone received an eBay notification regarding this amendment?
I've also sent and received many toiletries and cosmetics (apparently prohibited items - seriously!) using 1st class Consumer mail , never had an issue, didn't realise I was a Rule Breaker hehe
Silly rules to pacify bureaucrats and make more money forcing the use of tracking services. >

[alvoram]

Meli, they may just ignore it, as they've clearly been ignoring the current rules on Lithium batteries...

Current rules

Consumer mail : Prohibited (I've sent and received them through consumer mail)
Business mail : allowed through Royal Mail Tracked® UK addresses only (how many vendors post via standard first class?)

Incoming Rules (as of the 10th)

Prohibited when sent on their own in
the domestic and international post
Allowed in UK and international post
when contained in a device*
Allowed in the UK post when sent
with a device*

The rules currently in place haven't been enforced by royal mail, nor have vendors abided by them. So I'm not sure the changes coming on the 10th will make much difference. Any changes would only mean massive losses for royal mail, and I'm not sure they're in a position to absorb them.

[Clutter]

If RM choose not to enforce their own regs they will certainly refuse to compensate for lost &/or damaged items in transit that arent despatched as per their guidelines.

[archiecat]

Reading through this I think a couple of batteries sent in a plastic transit/storage box will be OK, thats what my last two 18650's from Ebay came in.

Device - Dictionary deffinition

1. A contrivance or an invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.
2.
a. A technique or means.
b. A plan or scheme, especially a malign one.
3. A literary contrivance, such as parallelism or personification, used to achieve a particular effect.
4. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. See Synonyms at figure.
5. A graphic symbol or motto, especially in heraldry.
6. Archaic The act, state, or power of devising.