Cells containing lithium now fall under more stringent shipping guidelines according to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). All lithium batteries are subject to regulations that call for abusive testing that can only be safely performed by experienced personnel with specialized equipment. Specific changes are being phased in and are effective January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2004. For more information concerning these regulations, see the article published in Battery Power Products & Technology.

• Altitude simulation
• Thermal cycling
• Shock
• External short circuit
• Impact
• Overcharge
• Forced discharge.