3091 – IMDG Code Compliance Centre

Plenty of shipments of batteries are moving around the globe as containerized cargo. Some are offered as non-hazardous which leads to confusion as similar name batteries are offered as hazardous also.

Below is the list of batteries in IMDG Code and the criteria due to which some can be transported as non-hazardous goods.

Proper Shipping Name	Class	UNNO	Special Provision	Criteria to become non-Hazardous
BATTERIES, CONTAINING SODIUM	4.3	3292	239	Batteries installed in vehicles are not subject to the provisions of IMDG Code
BATTERIES, DRY, CONTAINING POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID electric storage	8	3028	295 304
BATTERIES, WET, FILLED WITH ACID electric storage	8	2794	295
BATTERIES, WET, FILLED WITH ALKALI electric storage	8	2795	295
BATTERIES, WET, NON-SPILLABLE electric storage	8	2800	29 238	Provided they pass Vibration Test, Pressure test and no leakage from crack at 55 Deg C as per special Provision 238
LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES (including lithium alloy batteries)	9	3090	188 230 310 957	If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188
LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT or LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT (including lithium alloy batteries)	9	3091	188 230 957	If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188
LITHIUM ION BATTERIES (including lithium ion polymer – batteries)	9	3480	188 230 310 348 957	If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188
LITHIUM ION BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT or LITHIUM ION BATTERIES PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT (including lithium ion polymer batteries)	9	3481	188 230 348 957	If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188
BATTERIES, NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE	9	3496	117 963	If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 963. See entry NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE BATTERIES

Certain Dangerous Goods require mandatory transport in reefer containers due to safety reasons. These are some of the Self-reactive Substances under Class 4.1 and some of the Organic Peroxides, Class 5.2. This requirement is listed in column 16 of DG List in chapter 3.2 and respective sub sections in chapter 2.4 & 2.5 of IMDG Code (35-10).

Let us look at the provisions of other dangerous goods which do not require refrigerated containers but are offered sometimes as temperature controlled.

So what goods which do not require a reefer is sometimes transported in reefer? Generally these are Perfumes ( UN 1266), Safety Matches ( UN 1944), Paint (UN 1263), Lithium Batteries (UN 3090,3091,3480,3481). Some shippers transport these in live reefers to maintain the product quality. Of course Calcium Hypochlorite require live reefers by most of the shipping lines due to its bad past.

IMDG Code has certain provisions for Dangerous Goods in reefers for commercial reasons, these are specifically related to Flammable Gases ( Class 2.1) and Flammable liquids ( Class 3). When Flammable liquids having flashpoint less than 23 °C c.c is transported in live reefer then

1/ Substance shall be precooled and

2/ Transported at a temperature at east 10 Deg C below its flashpoint

Or explosion proof reefer is required.

At any moment during transport In case the reefer fails then power supply shall be disconnected and must not be switched on again.

No line will accept flammable gas in live or non-live reefers. ( For full details refer 7.7 of IMDG Code)

Tag: 3091

Batteries

DG Reefer – Commercial Reasons