Applicable Regulations - Labeling

ICAO and IATA Air Regulations require cells and batteries contained in equipment to follow packing instructions outlined for lithium ion batteries and lithium metal batteries as described in the 2019-2020 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instruction for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the current edition of the IATA DGR, and in the IATA Lithium Battery Shipping Guidelines. Each package must be labeled with the Lithium Battery Handling Label.

A completed package must adhere to guidelines, as follows:

• The package must display a Class 9 hazard label in addition to markings that identify the proper shipping name and UN number.
• The border of the label must have red diagonal hatchings with text and symbols in black on a contrasting background.
• The Lithium Battery Handling Label may be printed directly on the outer packaging provided that there is sufficient contrast between the elements of the lithium battery label and the color of the packaging material.
• The label has to be on one face of the outer package, and cannot be folded in a way that it appears on multiple faces of the package.
• The minimum dimensions for the label are 4.72 inches wide x 4.33 inches high.
• If the package is so small it can only bear smaller labels, the label dimensions may be 4.13 inches wide × 2.91 inches high but the design specifications remain otherwise the same.

Packages of lithium batteries that require the Lithium Battery Handling Label must be accompanied by a document called an airway bill that indicates information, as follows:

• The package contains lithium ion cells or batteries.
• The package must be handled with care. If the package is damaged, a label must communicate that a flammability hazard exists.
• Special procedures should be followed in the event the package is damaged, to include inspection and repacking if necessary.
• The package includes a telephone number for additional information.

The document should be separate from the package as the package already contains a pictorial representation of the hazard communication in the form of the Lithium Battery Handling Label.