Tougher enforcement and stiffer fines are needed to make lawbreaking Chinese lithium-ion battery manufacturers comply with international transport regulations, says PRBA – The US-based Rechargeable Battery Association.
PRBA made the call during a presentation at the 8th US–China Transportation Forum in Los Angeles, where it highlighted violations in shipping law, including undeclared and knowingly mislabelled shipments of lithium-ion batteries.
Counterfeit lithium-ion batteries pose another problem, as China emerges as one of the world’s largest producers of lithium-ion batteries, PRBA said.
PRBA executive director George Kerchner recommended better coordination among regulators, airlines, freight forwarders and the battery industry.
But he said China must enforce lithium battery safety regulations at the point of origin, including the initial shipper and the battery manufacturer.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing an enforcement gap in China by agencies overseeing the transport of lithium-ion batteries,” he said.
“Lithium-ion batteries manufactured in China are often shipped internationally from Hong Kong to avoid China’s regulatory oversight and dangerous goods regulations, which are inconsistent with international standards.
“As a result, it seemingly has been difficult for Hong Kong authorities to enforce dangerous goods regulations on shippers and manufacturers of lithium ion batteries that originate in China.”