Article Summary
Lithium batteries are inherently safe when properly designed and tested, but the rapid growth of lithium-powered devices demands standards that keep pace with the technology, particularly for air cargo, where a thermal runaway event is far more dangerous than in other modes of transport. This article explains the role of the SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee, a technical committee in SAE International’s General Projects Systems Group that was established in 2016 at the request of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). G-27 has two objectives: to develop Aerospace Standards (AS) that set a minimum performance standard for shipping lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft, covering packaging design and qualification, and to provide a forum for exchanging technical information on lithium battery packaging for air transport. The committee has overseen testing of performance-based packaging and is compiling recommendations and background material, with the goal of standards that regulatory agencies can use to oversee the safe air transportation of lithium batteries. Americase CEO Robby Kinsala and Chris Egloff, VP of Sales for the Lithium & Hazmat Division, serve on G-27 as writing and voting members, and Robby also acts as a liaison from sister company Fulcrum Testing, contributing lithium battery expertise and testing insight to the committee’s work.
Batteries, when properly designed and tested, are inherently safe products, but as the use of devices powered by lithium batteries continues to advance, there is a clear need for new, enhanced standards that keep up with lithium technology. One area of focus is aircraft transportation of lithium batteries and products that contain them, since the danger resulting from a thermal runaway event occurring in the air is much greater than during other modes of transportation. That’s why Americase team members actively participate in organizations and committees to help develop standards and guide regulations for the safety and benefit of every industry and sector involved in the lifecycle of batteries. SAE G-27 is one of those committees we are proud to support.
SAE International & the G-27 Committee
As an association of over 128,000 members strong, SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, is an internationally renowned professional association and organization actively developing engineering standards for a variety of industries, including commercial vehicles, aerospace, and more. Together, their mission is to advance knowledge around mobility industries and create solutions for the benefit of all humanity. Through the creation of their collaboration platform, StandardsWorks, and 750+ councils, committees, and task groups, SAE International and its members provide guidance on the technical industry standards leading safety, quality, and innovation efforts across the globe.
The G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee was established at the request of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and created by SAE International member engineers. This technical committee was formed to respond to the request for lithium-ion battery packaging standards for aircraft travel. According to the StandardsWorks website:
“SAE G-27, Lithium Battery Packaging, is a technical committee in SAE’s General Projects Systems Group with the responsibility for the development and maintenance of minimum performance package standards that support the safe shipment of lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft.”
SAE G-27’s Current Objectives
Since its formation in 2016, the SAE G–27 Committee has held two main objectives:
- to develop Aerospace Standards (AS) for a minimum performance standard for the safe shipping of lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft, with the standard including aspects like packaging design, qualification, and more;
- and to provide a forum for the exchange of technical information related to lithium battery packaging for aircraft transportation.
SAE G-27 has most recently overseen the testing of performance-based packaging and is currently in the process of compiling its recommendations and background material to continue its testing efforts and facilitate more discussions around the subject. Ultimately, the standards created would guide regulatory agencies to oversee and ensure safety around all aspects of lithium battery air transportation.
SAE G-27 & Americase
Since its inception in the 1980s Americase has always operated toward our mission of collaborative work with our partners to deliver the highest quality products. While our “partners” are typically the client companies that seek us out for our innovative solutions, they can also be the industry and regulatory committees our team members choose to join, such as SAE G-27. Americase’s CEO Robby Kinsala and VP of Sales for Lithium & Hazmat Division Chris Egloff provide their expertise to this committee with the ultimate goal of making it safer for companies across a variety of industries to ship lithium batteries by air. Both are writing and voting members, and Robby also serves as a liaison from Fulcrum Testing, an Americase sister company.
Moving Forward Together
Today, the SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee continues to push forward toward its goal of creating standards so regulatory agencies can ensure the safe air transportation of lithium batteries. Through Americase’s involvement, the committee has received industry-leading assistance, lithium battery expertise, and testing insights. Moving forward, our team will continue to act as active SAE members for the greater good of the G-27 committee, as well as the companies affected by shipping lithium batteries by air.
Americase is proud of our team’s engagement with organizations leading the charge on addressing industry-wide issues, and we look forward to SAE G-27’s next meeting, which will take place in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information on the committee, check out its profile on the StandardsWorks website, and to learn more about how Americase applies its innovative problem-solving to answer our clients’ needs in addition to industry-wide issues, contact us today.
FAQ
Q: What is the SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee? A: SAE G-27 is a technical committee in SAE International’s General Projects Systems Group. It is responsible for developing and maintaining minimum performance package standards that support the safe shipment of lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft.
Q: Why was the SAE G-27 committee formed? A: G-27 was established in 2016 at the request of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which asked for lithium battery packaging standards for air transport. SAE International member engineers created the committee to respond to that request.
Q: Why is air transport a particular focus for lithium battery packaging standards? A: The danger from a lithium battery thermal runaway event is much greater when it occurs in the air than during other modes of transportation. As lithium-powered devices continue to advance, standards need to keep pace, which makes aircraft cargo packaging a critical focus area.
Q: What are the SAE G-27 committee’s objectives? A: G-27 has two main objectives: to develop Aerospace Standards (AS) establishing a minimum performance standard for safely shipping lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft, including packaging design and qualification, and to provide a forum for exchanging technical information on lithium battery packaging for air transport. The committee has overseen testing of performance-based packaging, and the resulting standards are intended to guide regulatory agencies in overseeing lithium battery air transportation.
Q: What is SAE International? A: SAE International, formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers, is a professional association of more than 128,000 members that develops engineering standards for industries including commercial vehicles and aerospace. Through its StandardsWorks collaboration platform and more than 750 councils, committees, and task groups, SAE provides technical standards that support safety, quality, and innovation worldwide.
Q: How is Americase involved in SAE G-27? A: Americase CEO Robby Kinsala and Chris Egloff, VP of Sales for the Lithium & Hazmat Division, are writing and voting members of the G-27 committee. Robby also serves as a liaison from Fulcrum Testing, an Americase sister company. Their contributions include lithium battery expertise and testing insights, with the goal of making it safer for companies across industries to ship lithium batteries by air.