Former PHMSA official to brief medtech makers on lithium battery shipping rules at MEDevice Boston 2026

HazMat Safety Consulting will send President Ryan Paquet to MEDevice Boston 2026 on Aug. 26 to explain how evolving UN, DOT, IATA and ICAO rules could affect shipping for lithium battery-powered medical devices. The session comes as regulators tighten transport oversight amid rising aircraft incidents tied to lithium batteries.

Why it matters: - Medical device manufacturers are facing more complex rules for shipping lithium battery-powered products across borders. - Transportation compliance can affect product launch timelines, global distribution, recall readiness and market access. - The session is aimed at helping companies prepare before new requirements take effect. - Federal Aviation Administration data show U.S. carriers recorded 93 lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire or extreme heat aboard aircraft in 2025, a 4.5% increase from the prior year.

What happened: - HazMat Safety Consulting announced that President Ryan Paquet will present "The Global Logistics of Lithium Battery-Powered Devices" at MEDevice Boston 2026. - The session is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET. - The talk will take place at Innovation Spotlight Theater 1.0 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. - The session is part of MEDevice Boston 2026 and the MedTech Innovation Expo. - A session registration page is available for additional information.

The details: - Paquet serves as president of HazMat Safety Consulting and deputy director of the Medical Device Transport Council. - The Medical Device Transport Council holds observer status with the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. - The 45-minute session will cover work underway at the UN Subcommittee and proposed regulatory changes. - Paquet will outline what those changes could mean for medical device manufacturers. - Topics include lithium battery testing, classification and transportation. - Other topics include packaging, state-of-charge limits and transportation considerations for battery-powered medical devices. - The session will also address evolving requirements tied to the United Nations, U.S. Department of Transportation, International Air Transport Association and International Civil Aviation Organization. - Attendees are expected to get practical guidance on compliance, risk reduction and preparing for future regulatory changes. - The audience is expected to include regulatory affairs, quality and compliance, logistics and supply chain, product development, engineering, clinical operations, manufacturing and global trade compliance professionals. - Attendees will also have a live Q&A with Paquet. - Paquet previously served as Director of Approvals and Permits and earlier as Assistant Director of International Standards at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. - Paquet also represented the United States as a delegate to the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the International Maritime Organization. - Paquet is co-author of Mastering Lithium-Ion Battery Safety.

Between the lines: - The announcement reflects how lithium battery transport has become a supply chain issue, not just a safety issue. - Paquet’s background in PHMSA and international standards bodies gives the session credibility for companies trying to anticipate rule changes. - The timing suggests medtech firms are being pushed to plan for regulatory changes before they land in final form.

What's next: - MEDevice Boston attendees can hear Paquet’s update in person on Aug. 26. - Manufacturers following the session may use the guidance to adjust packaging, documentation and shipping plans. - HazMat Safety Consulting is positioning the talk as an early look at proposed international changes before they take effect. - The company directs readers to its website for more information on its advisory services.