“Companies led by Apple Inc., Panasonic Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. would save $1.13 billion under U.S. legislation barring limits on air shipments of lithium batteries that go beyond international standards,” Carla Main reports for Bloomberg.

“The legislation, approved by the House [on] April 1, prevents President Barack Obama’s administration from enacting a proposed rule that treats billions of batteries shipped or packed into laptop computers, cellular phones and digital cameras as hazardous materials,” Main reports. “The rule would trigger packaging, training and handling requirements for manufacturers, retailers and airlines.”

Main reports, “U.S. regulators, backed by pilot unions and congressional Democrats, say they want to limit shipments because lithium batteries may overheat and ignite. The rule by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, part of the Transportation Department, would cost $1.13 billion the first year in packaging, transportation, logistical and training costs, according to an analysis commissioned by the Washington- based battery association.”

Read more in the full article here.

[Attribution: AppleInsider. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Fred Mertz" for the heads up.]