The 66th edition of IATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), effective January 1, 2025, introduces a range of significant updates that affect shippers, freight forwarders, and airlines handling hazardous materials by air. From revised lithium battery rules to updated packaging specifications and new documentation requirements, compliance with the 2025 DGR is mandatory for anyone involved in the air transport of dangerous goods.
What Is the IATA DGR and Why Does It Matter?
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations is the global standard for the safe transport of hazardous materials by air. It is based on the ICAO Technical Instructions but includes additional restrictions imposed by IATA and individual airlines. The DGR is updated annually to reflect new safety data, changes in technology, and lessons learned from incidents.
Non-compliance with the DGR is not just a regulatory issue — it is a safety issue. Improperly declared or packaged dangerous goods have been responsible for several serious aircraft incidents. Airlines and freight forwarders are required to refuse shipments that do not comply with the current edition of the DGR, and shippers can face significant fines and penalties for violations.
Key Changes in the 66th Edition (2025)
1. Lithium Battery Regulations — Major Updates
Lithium batteries remain the most significant dangerous goods challenge in air freight, and the 2025 DGR introduces several important changes to their handling:
- State of Charge (SoC) requirements: Lithium-ion cells and batteries shipped as cargo must now be at no more than 30% SoC (previously 30% was already required for some categories, but the 2025 edition clarifies and extends this requirement). Shippers must be able to demonstrate compliance with SoC requirements.
- New packaging specifications: Outer packaging for lithium batteries must now meet updated drop test and stacking test requirements. Packaging that was compliant under the 2024 DGR may need to be re-evaluated.
- Expanded forbidden list: Certain categories of damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries that were previously permitted under specific conditions are now forbidden from air transport entirely.
- Updated UN numbers: Several UN numbers for lithium battery shipments have been revised. Shippers must verify that their Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods uses the correct UN number for the 2025 edition.
Lithium Battery Quick Reference (2025)
- UN 3090 — Lithium metal batteries (standalone)
- UN 3091 — Lithium metal batteries in/with equipment
- UN 3480 — Lithium-ion batteries (standalone)
- UN 3481 — Lithium-ion batteries in/with equipment
- Max SoC for cargo: 30% (UN 3480, UN 3090)
- Passenger aircraft: Many lithium battery shipments remain forbidden
2. Updated Packaging Instructions
The 2025 DGR includes revised Packaging Instructions (PI) for several dangerous goods categories. Key changes include:
- PI 965 and PI 968 (lithium batteries): Updated quantity limits and packaging specifications as noted above.
- PI 650 (biological substances, Category B): Clarified requirements for triple packaging and absorbent material quantities.
- PI 602 (infectious substances, Category A): Updated requirements for primary receptacle pressure testing.
- PI 200 series (flammable liquids): Revised inner packaging quantity limits for several entries.
3. New and Revised Dangerous Goods List Entries
The 2025 DGR adds 23 new entries to the Dangerous Goods List and revises 47 existing entries. Shippers who regularly transport chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or industrial goods should review the updated list carefully to ensure their products are classified correctly under the new edition.
Notable new entries include several new battery technologies (solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries), new pharmaceutical compounds, and updated entries for certain aerosol products. The revised entries include changes to packing groups, quantity limits, and special provisions for a range of existing dangerous goods.
"The 2025 DGR changes are more extensive than in recent years. Shippers who haven't reviewed their dangerous goods procedures since 2023 or 2024 may find that their current practices are no longer compliant."
4. Documentation Changes
The Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) has been updated in the 2025 edition. Key changes include:
- New mandatory fields for certain shipment types, including a declaration of State of Charge for lithium battery shipments
- Updated format requirements for the emergency contact information section
- Clarified requirements for electronic DGDs — the 2025 edition provides more detailed guidance on acceptable electronic formats
- New requirements for the shipper's certification statement for certain high-consequence dangerous goods
5. Operator Variations
In addition to the IATA DGR itself, individual airlines may impose additional restrictions (operator variations) that are more stringent than the IATA standard. The 2025 edition includes updated operator variations from several major carriers. Shippers should always check the specific operator variations for the airline(s) carrying their dangerous goods shipment.
What Shippers Need to Do Now
If your business ships dangerous goods by air, here are the immediate steps you should take to ensure compliance with the 2025 DGR:
- Obtain and review the 66th edition of the IATA DGR — do not rely on the 2024 edition for 2025 shipments
- Review all dangerous goods classifications against the updated Dangerous Goods List
- Audit your packaging to ensure it meets the 2025 Packaging Instructions
- Update your Shipper's Declaration templates to reflect the new documentation requirements
- Ensure all staff involved in dangerous goods preparation have completed 2025 DGR training
- Check operator variations for your regular carriers
How Turkey Air Cargo Can Help
Our dangerous goods team is fully trained and certified under the 2025 IATA DGR. We can assist with dangerous goods classification, packaging review, documentation preparation, and compliance audits. If you're unsure whether your dangerous goods shipment complies with the 2025 edition, contact our team before booking — it's much easier to resolve compliance issues before the shipment is tendered than after it has been rejected at the airport.
Related Articles
