Capital Eyes

PHMSA Issues Hazmat Regulations Changes

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under the Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations (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, and packaging authorizations. Additionally, PHMSA is amending the HMR to allow for better alignment with Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. This rule became effective on August 25, 2022.

PHMSA expects that the adoption of the regulatory amendments in this final rule will facilitate transportation efficiency while maintaining the high safety standards currently achieved under the HMR. The administration also notes that the harmonization of the HMR with international consensus standards could reduce delays and interruptions of hazardous materials during transportation.

The following are some of the changes:

Hazardous Materials Table (HMT): PHMSA is adding, revising, and/or removing certain proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, and bulk packaging. Metal IBCs: PHMSA is removing the metal wall thickness requirements for certain metal intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) that have a capacity of 1,500 liters or less. Metal IBCs are currently the only type of IBCs for which there are minimum wall thickness requirements. This revision harmonizes the minimum wall thickness requirements for IBCs with the 21st revised edition of the UN Model Regulations.

Inspections: PHMSA is extending the periodic inspection from five to 10 years for cylinders that are filled with hazardous materials described as “chemicals under pressure.”

Marking Requirements: PHMSA is amending the regulations to clarify that the exception permitting reduced size marking requirements are applicable to packages with either 5 L or less capacity, or those with a 5 kilogram or less net mass. The current HMR text states that the exception is applicable to packages with a maximum capacity of 5 kg or 5 L or less, rather than the maximum net mass, which is the more appropriate measure.

To read the final rule in its entirety, visit https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-07-26/pdf/202215358.pdf.

Janet Kopenhaver is president of Eye on Washington and serves as the AWT Washington representative. She can be reached at (703) 528-6674 or janetk@eyeonwashington.com.