UN 38.3
Manual of Tests and Criteria — Section 38.3: Lithium metal and lithium ion batteries
Also written as UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Section 38.3
- Current edition
- Rev. 8 (2023) + Amd 1 (2025)
- Published
- 2023
- Last verified
- 2026-08-23
What it covers
The gating test protocol for shipping lithium cells and batteries. Every cell, module, and battery design must pass the eight UN 38.3 tests — altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact/crush, overcharge, and forced discharge — and carry a test summary before it can move by road, sea, or air. No UN 38.3 pass means the equipment cannot ship. It underpins the modal transport rules (IMDG, ADR, IATA/ICAO) rather than being enforced directly.
Editions
- Eighth revised edition (Rev.8) + Amendment 1 (2025) In force 2023
The Manual is revised on the UN Sub-Committee’s biennial cycle; Amendment 1 to the eighth revised edition was issued in 2025.
- Seventh revised edition (Rev.7) Superseded
Official source
learnBESS doesn't host or reproduce standards. Read or purchase the document from the issuing body.
View UN 38.3 at United Nations (UNECE — Transport of Dangerous Goods) ↗