Compliance & regulations

Lithium batteries are dangerous goods

A plain-English overview of the Australian rules that apply to storing and transporting lithium batteries, and how Guard 3480 packaging helps you meet them.

What are you handling?

UN3480 / 3481 / 3090 / 3091: the UN numbers for lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries.
Note: check manufacturers’ handbooks and websites to confirm the battery type and UN number.
ADG Code: the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (National Transport Commission) governs transport by road and rail.
AS 4681: storage of Class 9 dangerous goods.
WorkSafe & EPA: state workplace-safety and environmental requirements.
Victoria: WorkSafe Victoria · EPA Victoria
NSW: SafeWork NSW · NSW EPA
Queensland: Workplace Health & Safety QLD · QLD environment (DETSI)
WA: WorkSafe WA · DWER

Guard 3480 boxes are UN-approved combination packs, independently tested and WorkSafe Victoria approved, so the packaging itself is compliant.

Cover the terminals before transport.

Across the ADG Code packing instructions for lithium batteries: P903 (new), P908 (damaged/defective) and the small-battery exemption SP188; cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit, regardless of size. In practice: tape or cover the terminals, keep batteries from contacting each other or metal, and use certified packaging. 9V batteries especially, as both terminals sit on the same end.

Full source detail (manufacturer SDS + ADG references) is in our terminal-protection reference: see Resources.