UN 38.3 VS MSDS

What is the difference between the un38.3 test report and MSDS?

Un 38.3 reports and MSDS are required regardless of whether lithium batteries are shipped by sea or by air. Many customers would feel confused about then.

Today, let’s see the differences between the un38.3 test report and the MSDS test report.

1,  Different Meanings

UN 38.3 is a test standard  issued by IATA. The full name is the United Nations Dangerous Goods Transport Test and Standard Manual, Part 3 38.3, that is, To ensure the safety transportation of lithium battery，the lithium battery must pass a series of testing, like high simulation, high and low temperature cycle, vibration test, impact test, 55 degrees C short circuit, impact test, overcharge test, compulsory discharge test.

If the lithium battery is not installed with the device and each package contains more than 24 cells or 12 batteries, an extra 1.2 m drop test must also be passed.

MSDS is an acronym for Material Safety Data Sheet ( also short for SDS). The MSDS report is a document used by chemical manufacturers and importers to clarify the physical and chemical properties of chemicals (e.g. pH, flash point, flammability, reaction activity, etc.) and possible hazards to the health of users (e.g. irritation, toxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, PH value, flash point, flammability, reaction activity, etc.), including the chemical’s physical and chemical parameters, explosive properties, hazards to health, safe use of storage, leakage disposal, first aid measures, etc.

It is a comprehensive regulatory document on the characteristics of chemicals provided by chemical production, trade, and sales enterprises to consumers and the public in accordance with legal requirements. There is no strict validity period. With the update of regulations, the content must be updated with MSDS, and the old version will expire.

2, Different Test Requirements

1, UN 38.3: Before the lithium battery is required to be transported, it is necessary to pass the high simulation, high and low temperature cycle, vibration test, impact test, short circuit outside 55 degrees C, impact test, overcharge test, compulsory discharge test, in order to ensure the safety of lithium battery transportation. In particular, the high and low temperature impact test was carried out at 72±2 degrees C and -40±2 degrees C, the storage time ≥6h, the high and low temperature conversion time ≤30min, the impact 10 times, the room temperature (20±5 degrees C) storage 24h, the total test time is at least one week,

2, MSDS test report: also known as SDS (Safety Data sheet), provides chemical physical and chemical parameters, explosion performance, health hazards, safe use of storage, leak disposal, first aid measures and related laws and regulations and other 16 content.

3, Different Supervision
1. UN 38.3: In accordance with the requirements of civil aviation regulations, airlines and airport cargo collection departments should carry out a review of lithium batteries transport documents, the most important is each model of lithium battery UN38.3 safety inspection report.

2, MSDS test report: MSDS quality is an important indicator of a company’s strength, image and management level, high-quality chemical products equipped with high-quality MSDS. At present, the United States, Japan, the European Union and other developed countries have generally established and implemented msDS system, requiring manufacturers of hazardous chemicals in the sale, transport or export of their products, while providing a product safety instructions.

PS: It is important to note that UN38.3 needs to be tested by a designated qualified third-party testing company, and MSDS can be handed over to a third-party testing company or issued by the factory itself.

4, Different Issuing Authorities
UN38.3 is a highly targeted test to ensure that lithium batteries under no circumstances leakage, leakage, disintegration, rupture, fire and other conditions, causing danger to air transport, generally requires a third-party testing agency, and most airports or aviation regulatory agencies will appoint a third-party agency.

MSDS is a material safety manual, can be prepared by the factory itself, can also be issued by a third party, it is based on chemical composition, focus on storage, transportation, etc. for reference, MSDS is a chemical manual, for the product is very broad, and do not need to test To provide information, MSDS is a chemical safety technical manual, not mandatory, but production enterprises should be with chemical products to provide users with safety instructions, so that users understand the chemical-related hazards, use can take the initiative to protect, play a role in reducing occupational hazards and preventing chemical accidents.

Drop us messege below if you still have questions for MSDS and UN 38.3.

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