Many countries are adopting strategies to reduce carbon emissions, including diversifying energy sources that can be produced and used with low or zero emissions, such as hydrogen and ammonia. While these and other technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, are essential for decarbonisation, they involve hazardous chemicals and can introduce new safety risks.

From 2023 to 2025, the OECD, together with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, organised a webinar series on hydrogen fuel risks and risks associated with ammonia as an energy carrier.

Building on this work, the OECD launched a new webinar series in 2026 on risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and emerging battery technologies. The first webinar, held on 29 April, provided an introduction to the chemical accident risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. It explored strategies for prevention, preparedness, and response to manage lithium-ion battery hazards at chemical facilities.

The OECD Working Party on Chemical Accidents (WPCA) has been working since 2023 to examine the safety risks associated with energy transition technologies.

Discover what the event is about.

Disclaimer: The content of the presentations may not be used or reproduced without the prior consent of the speaker.

13.00 – 13.10: Welcome to the Webinar

Eeva Leinala, Principal Administrator, Environment Directorate, OECD

13.10 – 13.20: Introduction: Goal and Scope of the webinar by the webinar Chair

Rachel McCann, Health and Safety Executive, UK, Chair of the OECD Working Party on Chemical Accidents

13.20 – 14.10: Setting the scene

• Understanding the risk: Jonathan Buston, Health and Safety Executive, UK (Presentation)
• Q&A

14.15 – 15.00: Emergency response for Lithium-Ion batteries accidents

• CFA Design Guidelines and Model Requirements for Renewable Energy Facilities: facilities with large-scale battery energy storage system, Matthew Allen, Country Fire Authority (CFA), Australia (Presentation)
• US EPA Lithium-Ion Battery Response Guide, Bryan Vasser, On-Scene Coordinator, US EPA (Presentation)
• Q&A

15.00 – 15.10: Break

15.10 – 16.15: Perspectives on managing risks from lithium-ion batteries and BESS

• Risk management for manufacturing, Minseon Jung, National Institute of Chemical Safety, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Korea (Presentation)
• Perspectives from Italy Industrial risks in the context of the environmental permit for energy storage through BESS, Fabrizio Vazzana, ISPRA, Italy (Presentation)
• Energy Institute - Guidance on Decommissioning, disposal and recycling of lithium-ion batteries, Lars Broegelmann, Principal Engineer, Risktec Solutions (Presentation)
• Q&A

16.15 – 16.40: Closing presentation: The evolution of battery technologies

• Adrian Gonzalez, Programme Officer, IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency (Presentation)
• Q&A

16.40 – 17.00: Wrap up