Why There’s No Lithium Battery Placard-But There Is a Label | Help Center

Why There’s No Lithium Battery Placard—But There Is a Label

Customers are often confused about what placards to use for Lithium Batteries. They want to order a “Lithium Battery Placard” because there is a “Lithium Battery Label.”

The problem is that it does not exist. At the 55th session, the UN clarified that UN3480, UN3481, UN3090, and UN3091 should continue to use the standard Class 9 placard, not a new one.

The UN Subcommittee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods decided not to adopt a dedicated Class 9 placard for lithium batteries (even though they adopted a lithium battery Class 9 label) primarily due to differences in how placards and labels are used, along with concerns about consistency and practicality in multimodal transport systems.

Labels are used for packages and are required by all modes of transport (air, sea, road, and rail).

Placards are used for bulk or containerized loads, and they are primarily required in road and rail transport, especially under 49 CFR (U.S.) regulations or the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Since lithium battery transport risks are more prominent during air transport (e.g., thermal runaway fires) and labels are the primary risk communication tool in that mode, the label was prioritized.

Class 9 encompasses a wide range of miscellaneous dangerous goods, including lithium batteries and environmentally hazardous substances.

Creating a specific placard just for lithium batteries within Class 9 would break consistency, as other Class 9 materials don’t have their own placards.

The introduction of a unique lithium battery Class 9 label (with the battery symbol and flame, per UN3480/UN3481) already enhances risk communication on packages.

Adding a separate placard for vehicles or containers would risk confusing transport workers and emergency responders, who are trained to recognize a single placard per class (i.e., the black-and-white striped Class 9 placard).

The UN Subcommittee adopted a special lithium battery label to increase the visibility of risks at the package level, where most incidents occur. They did not adopt a placard because:

Placards are mainly used in bulk/vehicle transport.
Class 9 as a category doesn’t typically subdivide into separate placards.
It would introduce inconsistency and potential confusion across transport modes and jurisdictions.

What to use? A regular class 9 placard when required. Need placards? ICC has you covered! Take a look at our Lithium Battery FAQ or contact our team of experts at 855.734.5469 or send us an email, we’re happy to help.