Starting on the 20th, portable batteries that can be carried onto aircraft will be limited to a maximum of two per person (each with a capacity of 160Wh or less). In addition, portable batteries may not be charged or used in the cabin.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 8th that the international safety standard for portable batteries proposed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was finalized after receiving final approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on the 27th of last month.

Under the new standard, only up to two portable batteries per person may be carried into the cabin, and charging and use are completely prohibited. In line with the revised international standard, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has revised the ‘Technical Standards for the Air Transport of Dangerous Goods’ and, after completing staff training and updates to guidance materials, will implement the new rules starting on the 20th of this month.

Previously, under international standards, there was no limit on the number of portable batteries of 100Wh or less, which are the most commonly used. The government set domestic rules limiting those of 100Wh or less to five per person, and those of 100-160Wh to two with airline approval.

Going forward, under the newly established international standard, the carry-on limit per person will be strictly capped at two units, with a capacity of no more than 160Wh per unit.

In addition, not only charging the portable battery itself but also using it to charge other electronic devices such as smartphones will be completely prohibited in the cabin.

Large portable batteries with a capacity exceeding 160Wh will continue to be prohibited from carriage altogether, as under current rules. Regardless of capacity, portable batteries may not be placed in checked baggage and can only be brought into the cabin.

Following the Air Busan fire incident in January last year, the government implemented safety measures limiting the number of portable batteries that can be carried on and banning in-cabin charging and storage in overhead bins. However, in the absence of unified international standards, airlines applied differing rules, often causing confusion for international passengers.

With the portable battery safety standard prepared by the government now adopted as an international standard, the confusion experienced by transfer passengers due to country-specific rules is also expected to diminish.

While the new standard will take effect domestically on the 20th, some countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan are already enforcing it. If you are planning to depart, it is advisable to check the carry-on rules with your airline in advance.

Yu Kyung-su, Director-General for Aviation Safety Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, “Given the growing concern over the risk of in-cabin portable battery fires, it is highly meaningful that we can now respond more effectively through international coordination.”