Final Rule Alert: PHMSA Reduces Hazmat Regulatory Burdens

A new PHMSA rulemaking revises the 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to “update, clarify, or provide relief from various regulatory requirements without adversely affecting safety.”

The Final Rule takes effect on December 28, 2020.

The Rule adopts miscellaneous petitions for regulatory relief from hazardous materials shippers, freight forwarders, carriers, and other stakeholders.
 

Among the most impactful updates PHMSA adopted are:

• Making limited quantity exceptions available for 114 corrosive materials on the Hazardous Materials Table 172.101 to align with international regulations.
• Allowing non-RCRA waste materials to be packed under the lab pack exception (49 CFR 173.12)
• Allowing the word “stabilized” to be added to certain Proper Shipping Names to better align with IMDG Code naming conventions.
• Provides flexibility for cleaning metal drums under 49 CFR 173.28(c)(1)(i)
• Revising requirements for poison-by-inhalation (PIH) materials by rail

The Final Rule also makes technical corrections and incorporates updated editions of various publications referenced in the HMR.

See the full list of changes in the November 25 Federal Register.  

Proposed in August 2019, the rule to adopt miscellaneous petitions was one of three hazmat updates Lion highlighted in our Hazmat Rules to Watch in 2020 last year.

2021 Hazmat Training Webinar Schedule Available 

Keep your hazmat shipping certifications up to date and help satisfy US DOT training mandates for hazmat employees at 49 CFR 172.704, IATA DGR 1.5, and IMDG Code 1.3.1.

Join a Lion instructor for live, expert-led training to simplify compliance with the latest hazardous materials regulations you must know. Get answers to your compliance questions and develop a step-by-step process to prepare and offer fully compliant shipments by ground, air, or vessel. 
 

Recurrent Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT)	Dec. 3
Hazmat Air Shipper Certification (IATA)	Dec. 8
Hazmat Vessel Shipper Certification (IMDG)	Dec. 15
Initial Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT)	Dec. 16–17

Tags: 49 CFR, hazmat shipping, new rules