Call for lithium battery clampdown

The International Air
Transport Association (Iata)
has joined forces with leaders
of the lithium battery supply
chain to demand stricter
enforcement of international
regulations regarding the
transport of lithium batteries.
In a joint letter to
ministers of trade, industry
and transport, and directors
of civil aviation in the
world’s largest lithium
battery manufacturing
and export countries, the
global associations also
called for significant fines
and custodial sentences
to be imposed on those
who circumvented the
regulations.
“Safety is aviation’s top
priority. Airlines, shippers
and manufacturers have
worked hard to establish
rules that ensure lithium
batteries can be carried
safely. But the rules are only
effective if they are enforced
and backed up by significant
penalties. Government
authorities must step up
and take responsibility for
regulating rogue producers
and exporters. And flagrant
abuses of dangerous goods
shipping regulations, which
place aircraft and passenger
safety at risk, must be
criminalised,” said Tony
Tyler, Iata’s director general
and CEO.