Background:

The meeting of UN TDG held from November 29 to December 8, 2021 has approved a proposal which is concerned about amendments to sodium-ion battery control. Committee of experts plans to draft amendments to the twenty-second revised edition of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, and Model Regulations (ST/SG/AC.10/1/Rev.22).

Amended content:

Revision to Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

• 2.9.2 After the section for “Lithium batteries”, add a new section to read as follows: “Sodium ion batteries”
• For UN 3292, in column (2), replace “SODIUM” by “METALLIC SODIUM OR SODIUM ALLOY”. Add the following two new entries:

• For SP188, SP230, SP296, SP328, SP348, SP360, SP376 and SP377, modify special provisions; for SP400 and SP401, insert special provisions (Requirements for sodium-ion cells and batteries contained in or packed with equipment as general goods for transportation)

• Follow same labeling requirement as lithium-ion batteries

Amendment to Model Regulations

Applicable scope: UN38.3 is not only applicable to lithium-ion batteries, but also sodium-ion batteries

Some description contained “Sodium-ion batteries” are added with “Sodium-ion batteries” or deleted of “Lithium-ion”.

Add a table of test sample size: Cells either on standalone transportation or as components of batteries are not required to undergo T8 enforced discharge test.

Conclusion:

It is suggested for enterprises which plan to manufacture sodium-ion batteries to pay earliest attention to relevant regulations. By such, effective measures can be taken to cope with regulations upon regulation enforcement, and smooth transportation can be guaranteed. MCM will constantly look into the regulation and standards of sodium-ion batteries, to provide requirement information to clients in timely manner.