Changes to Hazardous Materials Shipping Regulations in 2022

Changes to Hazardous Materials Shipping Regulations in 2022

January 27, 2022

HAZMAT shipping is no easy task. There are a lot of regulations pertaining to shipping hazardous materials, and the laws are continuously being updated. That includes some new hazardous materials regulations for 2022.

In addition to the continuously-updated regulations for HAZMAT shipping, there are different regulations for different types of shipping. For example, shipping hazardous materials via air may have different regulations than shipping via ground transport.

Here are some changes to air transport hazardous materials shipping regulations for 2022.

Air travel HAZMAT shipping updates for 2022

The government updated its shipping regulations for hazardous materials via air travel in 2022. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published new guidelines, and the section on lithium-ion batteries is creating a buzz in the HAZMAT shipping community.

Because lithium-ion batteries are considered hazardous materials, they must be handled with care during shipping—but they’re also widely used in a variety of goods, so the regulations surrounding their shipping affect not only the batteries but the goods that use them.

One regulation update on batteries is that Packing Instructions 965 for lithium-ion (UN3480) or lithium-polymer cells and batteries (UN3090) have been revised, with Section II being eliminated from the packing instructions. This has a three-month transition time, in which Section II may continue to be used until March 31, 2022. This is not predicted to impart many shipping operations, as Section II is already widely unused in the industry.

Another change is that lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment (UN3481) and lithium metal batteries packed with equipment (UN3091) should be packed in a UN-specification packaging and placed with the equipment in a strong, rigid outer packaging or packed with the equipment in a UN-specification packaging.

Trust a professional shipping company

With all the regulations around shipping hazardous materials—not to mention the updates to hazardous materials regulations in 2022—it’s important to find a shipping company you trust. This will save you time and energy in the long run versus trying to handle the logistics of HAZMAT shipping on your own.

Another reason why it is important to find an experienced shipping company for your HAZMAT shipping needs is that you will not have to worry about accidentally breaking the law by shipping something in an improper manner. Not only will this avoid fines and legal action, but it will prevent accidents—which is why the regulations are there in the first place.

Regulations can often be more strict when it comes to shipping hazardous materials via air travel. Sometimes it is more efficient or affordable to use ground transportation for HAZMAT shipping.

When you need any type of HAZMAT shipping, get in touch with the experts at All Points Transport. We are specialists in HAZMAT shipping with a track record of excellence. Our team of professionals is well versed in federal hazardous material law regulations, and we take pride in our extensive training and safety protocols. Contact us today to schedule a consultation—we look forward to learning more about your needs and demonstrating how we can meet them.

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