Search

USPS to Update Hazmat Limited Quantity Rules

Posted on 6/4/2021 by Roger Marks

Lion Members: This compliance update was one of many included in your most recent Monthly Regulatory Summary sent on Friday, June 4. Login to view all Member Bulletins here.  

To harmonize the requirements for hazardous materials limited quantities shipped by mail with the US DOT’s 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), the US Postal Service will remove references to ORM-D from its Publication 52 standards, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.

USPS will incorporate these revisions in the next edition of the online Publication 52, available via Postal Explorer. The postal service made the announcement in a May 20 USPS Postal Bulletin.

Lion's Hazmat Postal Shipper Online Course covers the unique USPS Publication 52 requirements shippers must follow to offer hazardous materials through the mail. 


What Was ORM-D?

As of January 1, 2021, the ORM-D (ORM stands for “Other Regulated Materials”) designation for hazardous material consumer commodities is no longer authorized in any mode of transportation, following a decade-long phase-out period.

When shipped as ORM-D, hazmat consumer commodities qualified for extensive relief from the 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) for packaging, markings and labels, and shipping papers. 

49 CFR 171.8 defines a consumer commodity as a “material that is packaged and distributed in a form intended or suitable for sale through retail sales agencies or instrumentalities for consumption by individuals for purposes of personal care or household use.”

ORM-d and limited quantity for hazmat consumer commodities DOT complianceHazmat consumer commodities must now be shipped as hazardous material limited quantities by all modes of transportation. The good news is that limited quantity shipments qualify for similar or identical reliefs and exceptions in ground transport as ORM-D packages did. 

Side-by-side: ORM-D vs. Limited Quantity by Ground 

Learn more:
Shipping Hazmat Consumer Commodities in 2021

Hazmat Training for Limited Quantity Shippers  

Even if you ship limited quantities of hazardous materials—you still ship hazardous materials. 

Hazmat training is required for all employees who can affect the safety of hazmat shipments in transport. 49 CFR 172.704 requires that all employees receive general awareness, security awareness, and function-specific hazmat training.

The Shipping Limited Quantities and Consumer Commodities online course will prepare personnel to navigate and use the limited quantity regulations to ensure your shipments continue moving safely, in compliance, and on time—in 2021 and beyond.

The course covers a step by step process to identify, package, mark, label, handle, and document limited quantity shipments for transport by ground, air, and vessel.

Tags: hazmat by mail, hazmat consumer commodities, hazmat in mail, hazmat limited quantities, USPS

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Look beyond the annual "Top 10 List" to see specifics about the most cited OSHA health & safety Standards and the individual regulations that tripped up employers the most last year. 

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.