Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to harmonize the federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) with international standards. According to the NPRM, PHMSA proposes to amend certain sections of the HMR to maintain alignment with international regulations and standards by adopting various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements.
PHMSA is accepting comments on its proposal through July 30, 2023.
Among the proposals, PHMSA is seeking the following:
- Amendments to the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) to add, revise, or remove certain proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, bulk packaging requirements, and small aircraft max quantity limits;
- Removal of the phaseout date from the transport provisions for polymerizing substances to allow for continued use of the provisions for these Division 4.1 (flammable solid) entries; and
- Addition of a new entry to the HMT for “UN3550 Cobalt dihydroxide powder, containing not less than 10% respirable particles” and its corresponding packaging provisions.
According to PHMSA, its proposed amendments are expected to maintain the HMR’s high safety standard for the public and the environment. PHMSA also anticipates additional safety benefits to be derived from improved compliance related to consistency amongst domestic and international regulations.
ACA will coordinate any comments on the proposal through its Transport Committee.
Contact ACA’s Rhett Cash for more information.