PHMSA Answers Hazmat Package Test Questions

In the sole letter of interpretation posted to PHMSA’s website last month, the administration answered four questions about hazmat packaging requirements for radioactive materials from the Packaging Management Council.

The first question concerns the packaging testing requirements at 49 CFR 173.15(a)(1)(i), which requires offerors of Type A packagings to document information about how, when, where, and by who the packaging was tested. PHMSA makes it clear that—even when the supporting documentation cannot be obtained—a “good faith effort” to obtain the documents is not enough to ensure compliance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

Instead, Type A packaging offerors should use the non-test methods outlined in 49 CFR 173.461 to demonstrate compliance.

The packaging testing documentation rules were bolstered under DOT rulemaking HM 250, finalized in 2011, which amended the rules for Class 7 (radioactive) materials to harmonize with international requirements created by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The updated documentation requirements apply to all Type A packagings offered for shipment after January 1, 2017. 

The letter of interpretation also clarifies the scope and applicability of the HM 250 rulemaking.

Read the full letter on PHMSA’s website.

Final Hazmat Training Workshops of 2017

Meet DOT, IATA, and IMDG hazmat training mandates when Lion presents the final Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Certification workshops of 2017. You will learn a step-by-step approach to properly prepare hazmat shipments in full compliance with 49 CFR, the IATA DGR (air), and the IMDG Code (vessel).

Detroit Oct. 30–Nov. 2 
Cincinnati Oct. 30–Nov. 2
Pittsburgh Dec. 4–7 
Chicago Dec. 11–14

 
 

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, Letters of interpretation, PHMSA, radioactives