Effective from 27 March 2026 The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has published an addendum to the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous goods by Air (Doc 9284) 2025–2026 edition.
The addendum details important changes made to the provisions for the exceptions for dangerous goods of the operator and the provisions for dangerous goods carried by passengers and crew. These restrictions aim to reduce the likelihood and impact of thermal events involving lithium batteries and to help harmonise restrictions globally.
What has changed – summary
- Additional conditions that the operator must adhere to for lithium cells or batteries (including power banks) carried aboard the aircraft for use or sale on the aircraft by the operator (such as electronic flight bags (EFBs), personal entertainment devices, card readers etc).
- Introduction of specific restrictions for the charging, use, storage and number of power banks to be carried on board the aircraft by passengers and crew. This separates the provisions for spare batteries and power banks.
Additional requirements for exceptions of dangerous goods carried by the aircraft operator
Operators carrying electronic devices containing lithium cells or batteries, such as:
- Power banks
- Spare batteries
- Portable electronic devices for use or sale on board;
- Electronic flight bags
- On-board entertainment devices
- Credit card readers:
must adhere to the following enhanced provisions:
Battery protection
- Spare lithium batteries and power banks must be individually protected to prevent short circuits when not in use.
For example: - Keep them in original retail packaging
- Cover terminals with tape
- Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch
Prevent accidental activation
- Devices must be protected so they cannot switch on/be activated by accident.
Battery standards and limitations
- Each battery must be of a type which meets the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3.
Battery limitations:
- Lithium metal batteries: maximum 2 grams of lithium content
- Lithium‑ion batteries: maximum 100 watt‑hours (Wh) rating
The conditions for the carriage and use of these electronic devices and spare batteries (including power banks) must be provided in the operations manual and/or other appropriate manuals by the operators to enable flight crew, cabin crew and other employees to carry out the functions for which they are responsible.
Amended passenger and crew rules for power banks
Power banks:
- Must be carried in carry‑on baggage
- Must be individually protected when not in use
- Must not be recharged on board the aircraft
- Should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices on board the aircraft
- Maximum of two power banks per person
Note: in addition to the above power banks must continue to meet the following:
- be of a type which meets the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3
- for lithium metal batteries, not exceed a lithium content of 2 g and for lithium-ion batteries, not exceed a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh
- power banks up to 100 Wh rating (lithium ion) or 2 g lithium content (lithium metal) are allowed without operator approval
- power banks greater than 100Wh rating (Lithium ion) but not exceeding 160Wh requires approval from the operator.