The UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) hazardous materials (hazmat) committee has voted to ban the shipment of lithium metal batteries as cargo aboard passenger aircraft.
Exempted from ban by ICAO's Dangerous Goods Panel were batteries carried by passengers or batteries contained in packed equipment, reported American Shipper.
Next, the proposed ban must be approved by the Air Navigation Commission, the parent committee to the Dangerous Goods Panel.
"While bulk shipments of lithium metal batteries are banned on passenger flights in the US, international rules differ. We will monitor the situation as this decision could have a significant impact," said Airforwarders Association executive director Brandon Fried.
