Search

Congress Weighs In on DOT’s Enhanced Enforcement Authority

Posted on 7/19/2012 by Roger Marks

In the MAP 21 highway bill passed earlier this month, Congress further defined the DOT’s Enhanced Enforcement Authority, including placing limits how and when that authority can be used.  The Enhanced Enforcement Authority, or “Package-Open Rule,” was published as a final rule in the Federal Register on March 2, 2011, and authorizes agents of the DOT to open, inspect, and seize packages in transit they suspect may contain undeclared or improperly packaged hazmat.
 
The rights and responsibilities of DOT agents are outlined in U.S. law at 49 USC 5121.  In the MAP 21 bill, Congress amended this section of the law to include new responsibilities pertaining to agents’ exercising the enhanced enforcement authority.  The law as amended states that before opening or inspecting a package in transit, the agent must “provide reasonable notice” to the person responsible for the package of the following:
 
  1. The agent’s intention to open and inspect a package
  2. The agent’s findings
  3. What actions will be taken as a result of non-compliance (if any is found)
[49 USC 5121 Sec. 33009 Inspections]
 
More Regulations Needed, Says Congress
 
The MAP 21 highway bill also lays out some questions about the procedures agents will follow when exercising enhanced enforcement authority. Congress directed the DOT to develop by July 13, 2013 new regulations to ensure the following:
 
  1. The safe and expeditious return to transportation of time- and temperature-sensitive materials;
  2. Noncompliant packages that present an imminent hazard are placed out-of-service until the condition is corrected; 
  3. Noncompliant packages that do not present a hazard are moved to their final destination; and
  4. Appropriate training and equipment for inspectors.
  5. The proper closure of packaging in accordance with the hazardous material regulations.
Lion Technology will continue to monitor this ongoing rulemaking and will share the latest news and notes with the regulated community here at LionBlog.
 

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, MAP 21, new rules

Find a Post

Recent Posts

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

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

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

This is a very informative training compared to others. It covers everything I expect to learn and even a lot of new things.

Quatama Jackson

Waste Management Professional

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

Download
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.