Regulatory changes effective 1 January 2013 on the

Small lithium cells and batteries below a certain power or lithium content can currently be consolidated with other cargo or with other consignments of small lithium batteries and be loaded into a ULD by a freight forwarder. However, from 2013 these small lithium batteries will be subject to greater regulatory requirements and consequently must be presented separately to an airline so that the airline can conduct an acceptance check, as is done for other dangerous goods. This change means that lithium batteries will now have to be prepared in accordance with Section IB of packing instructions 965 and packing instruction 968.
http://www.icao.int/safety/DangerousGoods/Working%20Group%20of%20the%20Whole%20on%20Lithium%20Batteries201/DGPWGLB.1.WP.015.en.pdf

Furthermore, ICAO has proposed a recommendation which states that the aviation authorities provide a transition period until 31 January 2013 to allow lithium battery packages prepared for transport in December in accordance with the 2012 provisions to conclude their journey. The link to this ICAO recommendation is below:
http://www.icao.int/safety/DangerousGoods/Documents/Guidance%20Material/2013-2014LithiumBatteryTransition.pdf

There is some indication that a number of state aviation authorities will allow for this transitional period. However, it is recommended that confirmation be sought from individual states and airlines to ascertain whether they formally recognise the above mentioned ICAO recommendation to allow for lithium batteries prepared in accordance with the 2011-2012 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions (53rd edition DGR) to be tendered for air transport until 31 January 2013.