UN38.3 MSDS Battery Compliance

Introduction to un38.3 certification

un38.3 refers to Section 38.3 of the Manual of Tests and Criteria compiled by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods regarding lithium battery testing.

UN38.3 is a battery safety performance test report. Based on various domestic and international standards, it conducts a complete set of safety performance tests on various models of batteries to help battery manufacturers ensure product quality and safety, comply with standards, and improve export capabilities.

1. The un38.3 test is a mandatory test taken to ensure that lithium batteries can be safely transported by air, sea, and land.

2. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the Lithium Battery Air Transport Regulations to all air transport companies, clearly stipulating that lithium batteries must pass un38.3 testing by a CNAS-accredited laboratory prior to air and sea transportation. Airlines are only permitted to accept and transport lithium batteries after receiving a qualified UN38.3 report and a transportation appraisal certificate.

Product Scope of UN38.3 Certification

1. Various lead-acid batteries (e.g., automotive starting lead-acid batteries, stationary lead-acid batteries, small valve-regulated sealed lead-acid batteries, etc.)

2. Various secondary power batteries (e.g., batteries for power vehicles, electric road vehicles, power tools, hybrid vehicles, etc.)

3. Various mobile phone batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, etc.)

4. Various small secondary batteries (e.g., laptop batteries, digital camera batteries, video camera batteries, various cylindrical batteries, wireless communication batteries, portable DVD batteries, CD and MP3 player batteries, etc.)

5. Various primary batteries (e.g., alkaline zinc-manganese batteries, lithium-manganese batteries, etc.)

UN38.3 Test Items

1. Altitude Simulation Test
   Under the conditions of pressure ≤ 11.6kPa and temperature at 20±5°C.

2. Thermal Test
   High and low-temperature shock testing is conducted under conditions of 75±2°C and -40±2°C. The storage time at extreme temperatures is ≥ 6 hours, and the high-to-low temperature conversion time is ≤ 30 minutes. The shock test is repeated 10 times, followed by storage at room temperature (20±5°C) for 24 hours. The total test duration is at least one week.

3. Vibration Test
   Complete one reciprocating logarithmic sweep sinusoidal vibration from 7Hz to 200Hz within 15 minutes, and complete 12 vibrations in the three-dimensional direction within 3 hours.
   
   

4. Shock Test
   150g, 6ms or 50g, 11ms half-sine shock. Conducted 3 times in each mounting direction, for a total of 18 times.
   
   

5. External Short Circuit Test
   At 55±2°C, external resistance... (Note: Translated exactly as provided in the original text, which cuts off here).
   
   

6. Crush/Impact Test
   A 9.1kg weight is dropped from a height of 61±2.5cm onto a battery placed with a 15.8mm round bar, and the surface temperature of the battery is measured.
   
   

7. Overcharge Test
   Under the condition of twice the maximum continuous charge current and twice the charge voltage, overcharge the battery for 24 hours.

8. Forced Discharge Test
   The battery is connected in series with a 12V DC power supply and forcibly discharged at the designated discharge current.

UN38.3 Certification Process

1. Sign the quotation.

2. Send samples and submit documents.

3. Testing.

4. Issue a draft report for confirmation.

5. Apply for the transport appraisal certificate.

6. Issue the final report.

UN38.3 Certification Application Materials

1. Application form.

2. Battery and cell specifications.

3. Original copy of the "Air Transport Testing Power of Attorney" stamped with the official company seal.

4. Original copy of the "Additional Entrustment Information for Lithium Batteries" stamped with the official company seal (not required for dangerous goods).

5. "Statement of New Requirements for Lithium Battery Transportation" (Required for PI965).

6. E-cigarettes must provide a document stating they do not contain e-liquid.

7. The production factory's ISO9001 system certificate.

8. Packaging pictures (For speaker shipments, provide pictures of the fully packed master carton).

UN38.3 Certification Cycle and Samples

• Cycle: 12-15 working days.

• Samples: 20 pcs of batteries, 55 pcs of cells.

Why Apply for UN38.3?

Because lithium batteries contained in mobile phones, laptops, and other devices pose certain risks during transportation, Air China Cargo Co., Ltd. has published operational guidelines for rechargeable lithium batteries transported as non-dangerous goods. The guidelines explicitly state that each type of primary battery and cell must be tested to prove compliance with Part III, Sub-section 38.3 of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, commonly referred to as UN38.3.