Dear Amazon (and the rest), you can learn how to ship lithium batteries safely

© FabioConcetta

The fine imposed on Amazon in the UK for breaches of the dangerous goods regulations focuses attention again on the importance of ensuring that companies despatch in full compliance.

In the case of Amazon, there was the potential for disaster, as four separate shipments of lithium batteries and flammable aerosols were not declared.

Lithium batteries are ubiquitous: they power our mobile phones, iPads, laptops, bicycles, golf trollies and a host of other everyday products.

There are two main types: lithium ion, which are ...