PHMSA Updates Hazmat Enforcement Priorities for 2026

In a November 20 memo to staff, PHMSA outlined their goals and priorities for inspecting hazardous materials shippers’ facilities, enforcing the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), and communicating with the regulated community to enhance hazmat transportation safety. 

In its outreach efforts moving forward, PHMSA aims to "increase communication and engagement with hazardous materials shippers" and to help shippers navigate the regulations to select adequate packaging for hazmat shipments. Third, PHMSA intends to reinforce the requirements and procedures for accurately classifying hazardous materials for transportation to limit classification errors that pose serious safety risks. 

View the memo from US DOT PHMSA here.

PHMSA Hazmat Inspection Priorities for 2026

PHMSA is prioritizing hazmat inspections that “target the highest-risk areas in hazardous materials transportation:" 

• Inspection and oversight of general hazmat shippers
• “Increased oversight” of shippers of lithium batteries 
• Undeclared hazmat offered by e-commerce sellers 
• Cylinder manufacturing and requalification 
• Drum manufacturing and recertification 

In addition, PHMSA will focus resources on follow-up inspections of companies with a history of major safety violations. With respect to how PHMSA will enforce the HMR moving forward, stakeholders should expect a focus on processing cases in a timely fashion. 

In determining where and how to focus its enforcement resources, PHMSA will utilize a risk-based approach to prioritize violations that present the highest level of risk. The agency also plans to "use enforcement trends and CMS analytics to inform policy decisions, enhance compliance strategies, and proactively address recurring or emerging violations." 

The OHMS memo concludes, in part, with a clear summary of the agency's policies, priorities, and goals for hazardous materials outreach, inspections, and regulatory enforcement: 

"Our focus will include outreach priorities designed to improve industry engagement, increase awareness of regulatory requirements, and build stronger compliance partnerships. Inspection, investigation, and enforcement priorities will target the highest-risk areas in hazardous materials transportation and maintain best practices including transparency, consistency, and continual improvement." 

2026 Hazmat Shipper Training

Check out our newly minted 2026  workshop and webinar schedules and get expert-led hazmat shipper training on your calendar!

Lion provides hazmat training required to ship or transport hazardous materials by ground, air, or vessel under US Department of Transportation (DOT/49 CFR), IATA DGR, and IMDG Code standards.

Hazmat training and regular re-training is required by 49 CFR 172.704, IATA DGR 1.5, & IMDG Code 1.3.1.