ORM-D-AIR Classification to Be Phased Out
The U.S. Department of Transportation is phasing out the ORM-D classification. The last day to ship packages properly classified and marked as ORM-D-AIR is December 31, 2012. Starting January 1, 2013, no new ORM-D AIR packages may be offered for transportation. Instead, shippers have to use the new air limited quantity marking (shown below) as well as other applicable markings and labels for air shipments of consumer commodity materials [49 CFR 172.315(d)(2)].
For many shippers, this phase-out will not have a significant impact, because many airlines already require shippers to follow the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations instead of 49 CFR. The IATA DGR never recognized the ORM-D AIR hazard classification.
New-Style Consumer Commodities
Those shippers who do offer 49 CFR air shipments need to take steps to comply with new requirements.
The good news is that many factors remain unchanged. The same quantities, of the same materials, in the same packages are authorized for exception from full regulation. The real significant difference is in the markings and labels on the outside of the package.
In addition, the DOT will still retain the Proper Shipping Name ”Consumer Commodity“ in the 172.101 Hazmat Table. However, this proper Proper Shipping Name will no longer be associated with the defunct hazard class ORM-D, but instead with hazard Class 9 for Miscellaneous materials. The name is also assigned the identification number “ID 8000″ to harmonize with the IATA DGR. Once the DOT phases out all ORM-D shipments, the name “Consumer Commodity” (with coinciding ID 8000) will only be acceptable for certain air shipments packed under the new packing instructions at 49 CFR 173.167.
Other Limited Quantities
Although rare, the use of the old marking for limited quantities (i.e.., the identification number in a square-on-point device) is also being phased out at the end of this year. These packages will instead use the “Y” marking and must be labeled according to their original hazard class [49 CFR 172.315(d)(2)].
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Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, IATA, limited quantities, new rules
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