UN 3090 corresponds to which type of battery?

• A. Lithium metal cells or batteries
• B. Lithium ion cells or batteries
• C. Lithium metal batteries contained in or packed with equipment
• D. Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment

Answer: (A)

UN 3090 identifies lithium metal batteries that are not rechargeable. These are primary lithium batteries, distinct from lithium ion cells which are rechargeable. The rules for batteries shipped under UN 3090 apply to standalone lithium metal cells or batteries, not to those installed in or shipped with equipment. When batteries are contained in or packed with equipment, that situation falls under a different UN number (for lithium metal, UN 3091). The other options point to lithium ion batteries or to lithium metal batteries that are contained in or packed with equipment, which is not UN 3090. So the correct type for UN 3090 is lithium metal cells or batteries.