Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee

About the Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee

Section 333(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254) mandates the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) establish a Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee composed of representatives of the Federal Government and representatives of lithium battery and product manufacturing industries, air carriers, and shippers, among other industries. The Committee will be established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 U.S.C., App. 2), as amended.

Notification and Frequency of Meetings

Public announcements of the Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee meetings will appear at least 15 days prior to the meeting date. PHMSA will post relevant information about the meeting on this website. Additionally, the Committee's recommendations will be published on this website. At a minimum, the Committee will meet biannually.

Next Meeting

May 4, 2022, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EDT

The agenda can be accessed here and further information can be found in the Federal Register Notice here. This meeting will be held via MS Teams (see below information).

Microsoft Teams meeting

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+1 509-931-1572,,869919590# United States, Spokane

Phone Conference ID: 869 919 590#

Past Meetings

September 22, 2021 - The agenda can be accessed here, and the meeting minutes here.

March 3-4, 2021 - The agenda can be accessed here, presentations here and the meeting minutes here. Also available are recordings of the March 3 meeting and the March 4 meeting.

September 16-17, 2020 - The agenda can be accessed here and meeting minutes here. Also available are recordings of the September 16 meeting and the September 17 meeting.

January 22-23, 2020 - All relevant documents, including meeting minutes, can be accessed here.

Membership

The Committee consists of members appointed by the Secretary, including representatives from PHMSA and FAA. Stakeholders include:

• large volume manufacturers of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries;
• domestic manufacturers of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries or battery packs;
• manufacturers of consumer products powered by lithium ion and lithium metal batteries;
• manufacturers of vehicles powered by lithium ion and lithium metal batteries;
• marketers of products powered by lithium ion and lithium metal batteries;
• cargo air service providers based in the United States;
• passenger air service providers based in the United States;
• pilots and employees of air service providers;
• shippers of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries for air transportation;
• manufacturers of battery-powered medical devices or batteries used in medical devices;
• representatives of such other Government departments and agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate; and
• any other individuals the Secretary determines are appropriate to comply with Federal law.

All members must be able to attend a minimum of two meetings each year in Washington, DC, other designated locations, or virtually. Members serve without compensation, although travel expenses, including per diem, may be eligible for reimbursement consideration based on budget availability.

A member appointed for his or her individual views or advice must be appointed as a Special Government Employee (SGE). Other members will serve as Representatives or Regular Government Employees. SGEs are subject to certain Federal conflict of interest laws.

Committee Purpose

The purposes of this Committee include:

• Facilitating communication amongst manufactures of lithium batteries and products containing lithium batteries, air carriers, and the Federal government.
• Discussing the effectiveness and the economic and social impacts of lithium battery transportation regulations.
• Providing the Secretary with information regarding new technologies and transportation safety practices.
• Providing a forum to discuss Departmental activities related to lithium battery transportation safety.
• Advising and recommending activities to improve the global enforcement of air transportation of lithium batteries, and the effectiveness of those regulations.
• Providing a forum for feedback on potential United States positions to be taken in international forums.
• Guiding activities to increase awareness of relevant requirements.
• Reviewing methods to decrease the risk posed by undeclared hazardous materials.

The Committee will also develop a report to the Secretary and Congress that describes and evaluates the steps being taken in the private sector and by international regulatory authorities to implement and enforce requirements relating to the safe air transportation of lithium batteries. The Committee shall terminate 6 years after the date on which it is established.

Charter and Composition

To conduct business, the Committee has a Charter. The Charters require renewal every two years by the General Services Administration (GSA), Committee Management Secretariat; bylaws provide additional procedural guidance.

• Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee Charter
• General Services Administration Federal Advisory Committee Information
• Lithium Battery Safety Advisory Committee Roster and Biographies
• Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee Bylaws

Original source can be found here.