[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 184 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 65463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22777]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0110; Notice No. 2016-18]


Hazardous Materials: Damaged, Defective, Recalled Lithium Cells 
or Batteries or Portable Electronic Devices

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Safety advisory notice.

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SUMMARY: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
(PHMSA) is issuing a safety advisory notice to inform the public of the 
risks associated with transporting damaged, defective, or recalled 
lithium cells or batteries or portable electronic devices (PEDs), 
including Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone devices recently recalled by 
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) [Recall No. 16-
266]. PHMSA is issuing this safety advisory notice in conjunction with 
the CPSC recall to advise members of the public who wish to carry 
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 subject to CPSC Recall no. 16-266 aboard aircraft 
that they must take all of the following precautions:
     Turn off the device;
     Disconnect the device from any charging equipment;
     Disable all applications that could inadvertently activate 
the phone (e.g., alarm clock);
     Protect the power switch to prevent its unintentional 
activation; and
     Keep the device in carry-on baggage or on your person. (Do 
not place in checked baggage.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Leary, Standards and Rulemaking 
Division, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 
telephone: (202) 366-8553.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Carriage Aboard Aircraft by Passengers and Crew

    Passengers or crew may only carry portable electronic devices on 
aircraft under the conditions of Sec.  175.10(a)(18) of the HMR. Except 
as detailed below, electrical devices, such as batteries and battery-
powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a 
dangerous evolution of heat must not be transported in passenger or 
cargo aircraft, whether as cargo, carry-on, or in checked baggage, 
unless packaged in a manner, that would preclude such an occurrence. On 
September 2, 2016, Samsung issued a statement to consumers regarding 
the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. According to CPSC, ``Samsung has received 92 
reports of the batteries overheating in the U.S., including 26 reports 
of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and 
a garage.'' Consequently, as a safety measure, CPSC has urged consumers 
to turn off, stop charging, and stop using these devices, and the FAA 
has advised such devices be turned off and not used or charged aboard 
aircraft and not be placed in checked baggage.
    Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5101-
5128) authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to 
``prescribe regulations for the safe transportation, including 
security, of hazardous materials in intrastate, interstate, and foreign 
commerce.'' The Secretary delegated this authority to PHMSA in 49 CFR 
1.97(b). In accordance with Sec.  173.21(c) of the HMR, electrical 
devices such as batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely 
to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, are 
forbidden for transportation unless packaged in a manner which 
precludes such an occurrence. Therefore, passengers or crew may only 
transport on board an aircraft a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 subject to CPSC 
Recall no. 16-266 under the following conditions:
     Turn off the device;
     Disconnect the device from any charging equipment;
     Disable all Applications that could inadvertently activate 
the phone (e.g. alarm clock);
     Protect the power switch to prevent its unintentional 
activation; and
     Keep the device in carry-on baggage or on your person. (Do 
not place in checked baggage.)

Additional Information

    Additional information pertinent to the traveling public is 
available through the DOT Safe Travel Web site (see http://phmsa.dot.gov/safetravel/batteries) and through the FAA Pack Safe Web 
site (see http://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe). For additional information 
on returning your device to the manufacturer, please call 1-800-SAMSUNG 
or 1-800-726-7864. For additional information on the recall please 
visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site at 
www.cpsc.gov.

Shipments as Cargo

    Lithium cells or batteries or portable electronic devices, that 
have been damaged or identified by the manufacturer as being defective 
for safety reasons, and have the potential of producing a dangerous 
evolution of heat, fire, or short circuit may only be transported by 
highway, rail or vessel in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 
173.185(f) or under the conditions of a Special Permit or Approval 
issued by PHMSA's Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials 
Safety. See http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/approvals-permits for 
additional information on obtaining a Special Permit or Approval. For 
additional information please contact Kevin Leary at (202) 366-8553 or 
the Hazardous Materials Information Center:
     Tel: 1-800-467-4922 or 202-366-4488
     Email: [email protected]

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 16, 2016.
Marie Therese Dominguez,
Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 
U.S. Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2016-22777 Filed 9-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-60-P