John Copeland

The FAA has published requirements that require testing for all battery devices that are a part of the aircraft itself.

Modern lithium batteries require a comprehensive approach to risk assessment and mitigation during product development, and a swift and systematic response when safety concerns arise in the field.

This article provides information on the changes found in Amendment 1 to the 6th Edition of UN 38.3, which details recommended testing to assess potential hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries in transit.

Beginning with its initial release in 2002, the IEC 62133 family of standards has enabled international harmonization of safety testing for small-format cells and batteries. Since then, the standard has seen a major revision in 2012 and, most recently, a very significant change in 2017. This article will detail those latest changes and their impact on compliance activities.

It is a dramatic understatement to say that the world of electronic devices continues to go more portable. The mantra of smaller, lighter, and faster shows itself through the myriad of devices we use as we move through our world outside of traditional work and home environments.

From my days as a young Marine Corps officer, it was stressed that “safety...