U.S. Department of Transportantion (DOT): New Battery Rules For 2008

This is a sort of public service announcement.

New rules for airline passengers who carry spare lithium batteries go into effect on January 1, 2008. There's quite a lot of information available at the DOT website. These links may be useful.

From the US DOT SafeTravel.dot.gov ("your source for tips to help travelers get to their destinations quickly and safely!"):

• "Spare Battery Tips"
  Eight practical tips.
• "Always Remember"
  Five good points
• "How-To"
  "A battery's electrical connections (also called contacts or terminals,) must be protected from contact with metal or other batteries that may cause the battery to short-circuit. You can do this in many ways."
• "Downloads"
  In printable pdf format (some also in original format):
  • SafeTravel Printable Flyer
  • SafeTravel Pocket Card for Commercial Reproduction
  • Air Line Pilots Association Advisory
  • DOT Safety Advisory (As issued to the Federal Register)
  • U.S. DOT Plan of Action to Address Battery Safety Concerns
  • Battery Recall Guidance
  • Battery Recall Guidance: Recommended Practices for Consumers
• "Q & A"
  Just what it says.
• "What's New"
  "Effective January 1, 2008, the following rules apply to the spare lithium batteries you carry with you in case the battery in a device runs low: ..."
• "Contact" Information for
  • Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
  • Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA)
  • Federal Aviation Administration Office of Hazardous Materials
  • Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
  • National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
  • Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA)
• "Batteries Home"
  "If you're planning a trip, bring your laptop computer, cell phone, camera, personal digital assistant, or other battery-powered device along. These items are safe to fly with!"

There's more than this selection available: the SafeTravel.dot.gov home page is a good place to start browsing the site.