FMCSA Issues Safety Advisory on Samsung Galaxy Note7 Smartphones

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a safety advisory on Oct. 21 to provide “notice and information” for commercial motor vehicle owners, operators and passengers on the risks and regulations associated with the transportation of the recently recalled Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone and also for other damaged, defective or recalled lithium cells or batteries used for portable electronic devices.

Although the alert stopped short of banning the smartphones, the advisory warned individuals who own or possess a Note7 smartphone may not transport the devices on their person, in carry-on baggage or in checked baggage on flights to, from,or within the United States.

The emergency order also prohibits the shipment of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones as air cargo.

The FMCSA advisory told drivers and passengers to take the following precautions:

• Turn off the device.

• Disconnect the device from any charging equipment.

• Disable all applications that could activate the phone inadvertently (e.g., alarm clock).

• Protect the power switch to prevent its unintentional activation.

• Keep the device in carry-on baggage or on your person, and do not store it in an inaccessible baggage compartment.

In accordance with the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations, the transportation of electrical devices, such as batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, is forbidden, unless packaged in a manner which precludes such an occurrence, the agency said.

“The recalled Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones are subject to this regulatory prohibition and may only be transported by CMV as cargo under the conditions of a special permit or approval issued by PHMSA's associate administrator for hazardous materials safety,” FMCSA said.