Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), from the International Air Transport Association (IATA): UN 38.3 Battery Testing
Posted on June 01, 2018 at 3:24 PM
General
IATA is the trade association that represents 280 airlines, roughly 80% of the world's airline traffic. DGR is the industry policy formed by IATA to address the identification of cargo transport goods.
All items or substances classified as dangerous goods shall be assigned to a standard name used in the transport of dangerous goods.
| Hazard Classes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Class 1: Explosives | 1.1 | Substances having mass explosion hazard. |
| 1.2 | Substances having a projection hazard but not a mass explosion. | |
| 1.3 | Substances with a fire hazard, a minor blast hazard, and/or a minor projection hazard, but not a mass explosion hazard. | |
| 1.4 | Substances presenting no significant hazard. | |
| 1.5 | Insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard. | |
| 1.6 | Insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard. | |
| Class 2: Gases | 2.1 | Flammable gas |
| 2.2 | Non-flammable, non-toxic gas | |
| 2.3 | Toxic gas | |
| Class 3: Flammable Liquids | Including mixtures of liquids, liquids containing solids, which give off a flammable vapor. | |
| Class 4: Flammable Solids | 4.1 | Flammable solids and desensitized explosives. |
| 4.2 | Substances liable to spontaneous combustion. | |
| 4.3 | Substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water. | |
| Class 5: Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides | 5.1 | Oxidizing substances which can cause combustion of other material. |
| 5.2 | Organic peroxides that are thermally unstable and sensitive to impact and friction. | |
| Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances | 6.1 | Toxic substances liable to cause death or injury if swallowed, inhaled, or in physical contact. |
| 6.2 | Infectious substances including micro-organisms and organisms, biological products, diagnostic specimens and medical waste. | |
| Class 7: Radioactive Material | Substances which spontaneously and continuously emit radiation which cannot be detected by human sensors and can be harmful to human health. | |
| Class 8: Corrosives | Substances that can cause damage to living tissue through chemical reaction, or materially damage other freight or the means of transport when leaked. | |
| Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods | Articles and substances, which during air transport, present a danger not covered by other classes. | |
UN 38.3 Battery Testing
Due to past incidents with battery transportation, the United Nations, IATA, and CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) jointly released the battery transportation regulation.
| Battery Categories | ||
|---|---|---|
| Laptop Battery | Ni-MH Battery | Cell Phone Lithium Battery |
| Fuel Cell | Dry Cell | Alkaline Manganese Battery |
| Lithium Ion Battery | Li-ion Battery for Cell | Nickel-Cadmium Battery |
| Button Battery | Portable Li Cell Battery | Import/Export Battery |
These follow the IATA DGR requirements mandating the UN 38.3 tests, consisting of the following required tests:
- Altitude Simulation Test: Low pressure aircraft cargo simulation.
- Thermal Test: Seal and internal connections integrity after rapid and extreme temperature variations.
- Vibration Test: Verify non-leaking or ruptured battery due to vibration of varying amplitude and time periods.
- Shock Test: Simulates impact to battery during transport.
- External Short Circuit Test: Capability of battery to withstand maximum current flow.
- Impact/Crush Test: Withstand impact/crush due to weight dropped on to it.
- Overcharge Test: Withstand overcharging conditions.
- Forced Discharge Test: Withstand forced discharge conditions.
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