At a meeting held today in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations (UN) Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods voted overwhelmingly to establish model regulations for shipping methanol fuel cartridges for micro fuel cell devices as cargo. The model regulations will be used by countries around the world to establish shipping requirements for methanol cartridges.
The new UN shipping name, number and packaging instructions also will assist international air transport authorities in considering regulations to allow passengers to carry and use these cartridges on-board airplanes. A final vote by the full UN Committee formally adopting the proposal is expected early next week.
From the United States to Europe and Asia, consumer electronic manufacturers are developing micro fuel cell technologies to power the next generation of laptop computers, cellular phones and other essential modern devices. Using methanol as a hydrogen carrier fuel, micro fuel cells represent a completely new portable power technology that will significantly increase run times for consumer electronic devices.
"This action by the world's leading transport safety experts provides the essential framework for moving methanol fuel cartridges around the globe," said Methanol Institute President and CEO John Lynn. "Coupled with strong national and international design and performance standards, strict transportation regulations will ensure that safe and reliable methanol fuel cartridges can be put into the consumer's hands. In a few short years, we expect methanol fuel cartridges to be as ubiquitous on store shelves as 'AA' batteries."
The UN Committee approved a proposal from the United States Department of Transportation creating a new shipping description and packaging instructions for fuel cell cartridges containing methanol as Class 3 Flammable Liquids. The proposal had broad support of the methanol and fuel cell industries. For more information, visit http://www.methanol.org or http://www.usfcc.com.
The Methanol Institute serves as the trade association for the global methanol industry.
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