Recently, the civil aviation industry standard Specific Requirements for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air — Test for Large Lithium Batteries (MH/T 1086-2026), issued by Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), officially came into effect. This industry standard specifies the requirements for testing conditions, thermal safety tests, package tests, and test report for the air transport of large lithium batteries. Its implementation will further enhance the safety level and support capabilities for the air transport of large power lithium batteries.
It is understood that, according to the requirements of International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, large power lithium batteries weighing more than 35 kg require special approval from the civil aviation authorities before they can be transported by air. Considering China's status as a major producer and consumer of lithium batteries, coupled with the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry and a strong demand for the air transport of large power lithium batteries, CAAC invited research involving industry enterprises and scientific research institutions, actively collaborated with relevant units on the supply chain, and fully considered opinions from lithium battery manufacturers, testing institutions, civil aviation authorities, airlines, and airports. This joint effort ultimately led to the development and issuance of the Specific Requirements for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air — Test for Large Lithium Batteries.
This industry standard is applicable to lithium battery manufacturers, inspection and testing institutions, and other units conducting tests required for the special approval of air transport of large lithium batteries. It specifies testing requirements from multiple aspects, including transport conditions, thermal safety, and packaging, focusing on the safety of large lithium batteries under air transport conditions and their safety in abnormal states such as thermal runaway and thermal propagation, thereby ensuring the safe air transport of large lithium batteries. Following the implementation of this standard, it will promote the development of cargo transport by air, support the export of domestically produced large power lithium batteries, and provide a solid foundation for China's high-end manufacturing to participate in international competition.
