2013 IATA - Upcoming Changes For 54th Edition IATA

By Mike Bond
3 oct 2012

Working closely with governments, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and other national authorities, the International Air Transport Association defines the standards for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. The IATA ensures a high degree of safety is achieved by providing clearly defined rules in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. The IATA seeks to remove the incentive to by-pass regulations by making the shipping of dangerous goods easier and more efficient, by publishing this resource for the shipping industry.

For carriers, shippers, and forwarders of hazardous materials via air, land, and sea, the Compliance Center is the hub that provides the most up-to-date information to ensure transport companies remain compliant and avoid penalties. With this goal in mind, this post highlights important changes in the 54th Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations that take effect January 1, 2013.

Key Changes in the 2013 IATA DGR

An important change in the 2013 IATA DGR is the addition of a Record of Addendum to the publication that will be updated to ensure the DGR is kept current and easier to use.

The List of Dangerous Goods contains several amendments. Changes address non-restricted items and dangerous goods in the checked and carry-on luggage of passengers and crew. Provisions are added for postal service goods, a new table addresses designated postal operators, and a new definition of designated postal operators is given. New regulations outline specific requirements for helicopter operations.

In reference to gross weight, net quantity is redefined for items such as lithium batteries and wet cells. To address very small quantities of dangerous goods in the excepted quantity provisions, the 2013 IATA DGR allows small quantities of 1g / mL per inner and 100g / 100 mL per package to be transported unrestricted.

The 2013 IATA DGR includes new packing instructions for capacitors and chemicals under pressure. Absorbent material capable of absorbing the entire contents of the inner packagings must be used whenever a requirement for absorbent material is specified.

As of January 1, 2014, written information provided to the pilot-in-command, or NOTOC, becomes mandatory. The information must be provided to personnel responsible for operations control, such as airline operation control centers.

2013 IATA Regulatory Requirements Applicable to Lithium Batteries

There are significant revisions in the 2013 IATA DGR regarding requirements for lithium batteries. Revisions add allowances subject to battery size for non-spillable batteries. Shipments of large quantities of small-sized lithium batteries now fall under partial regulation, and many small-sized batteries can now be shipped by mail. Section II contains lithium metal cells weighing 1g or less, and lithium ion cells weighing 20 Wh or less. Section II also includes lithium metal batteries weighing 2g or less, and lithium ion batteries weighing 100 Wh or less. Heavier batteries are in Section I, remaining fully regulated. The 2013 IATA adds Section IB, to address shipments of 9 or more small cells and/or more than 2 small batteries, which would otherwise fall under Section II if the batteries are shipped without equipment and will require new shipping protocols. Shipper’s Declarations are not required; however, alternative documentation is mandatory and more extensive.

Changes are based on working group discussions at the 2012 Dangerous Goods Panel of the ICAO. Growing safety concerns exist due to the increased energy density of lithium batteries as well as an exponential growth in the number of shipments. The panel determined the changes were necessary, and 2013 IATA reflects the amendments.

For more information, and a full list of 54th Edition Significant Changes Click Here. What do you think about these latest IATA changes? Leave us a comment and let us know.