Details

The transport of lithium batteries is known to involve risks. Since 2003, every manufacturer and distributor of lithium batteries or cells has therefore been obliged to subject their goods to various safety tests.

This so-called UN 38.3 test is described in the "Manual of Tests and Criteria" of the United Nations in Part III in Section 38.3 with 8 test modules. It simulates transport conditions such as pressure, temperature, vibration, impact, overload test etc. 

Since 1 January 2020, manufacturers and distributors have also been obliged to provide any natural or legal person throughout the supply chain with a detailed test summary of the UN 38.3 test. Depending on the transport route (truck, rail, ship or air freight), different legal bases apply. A complete test report is required, so that a note under item 14 in the safety data sheet alone is not (no longer) sufficient.