PHMSA Posts More Changes to 49 CFR Hazmat Rules

The US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today proposed a number of additions, corrections, and updates to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) in 49 CFR.

Among the changes and updates to hazmat shipping rules proposed today are:

• Incorporating by reference publications from the Compressed Gas Association and the Chlorine Institute;
• Removing the requirements for excepted quantities to comply with emergency response telephone requirement for shipping papers;
• Removing the requirement for pressure to be marked on DOT type 8 and 8L cylinders;
• Extending the service life of tank cars authorized under  HM-246;
• Allowing electronic signatures for EPA Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest (this goes hand-in-hand with the US EPA’s new electronic Manifest standards for hazardous waste shipments.);
• Allowing use of non-wood pallets for limited quantity hazardous materials shipments;
• Clarifying the allowances for the use of hazmat labels and placards that meet ICAO, IMDG, TDG, and UN specifications; and
• Clarifying the IBC marking rules to make it clear that the manufacture date of the inner receptacle may differ from the manufacture/repair/remanufacture date of the composite IBC.

Comments on the proposed changes to the hazardous materials requirements are due  by August 29, 2016. See the full proposal in today’s Federal Register.

This is the second rulemaking to update or change the US DOT 49 CFR hazmat regulations this month.  PHMSA finalized another miscellaneous updates Rule on June 2.



The Hazardous Materials Regulations apply to shippers and transporters of hazardous materials. Found at 49 CFR 100-185, these rules set specific standards for handling, classifying, naming, packaging, marking, labeling, loading, unloading, placarding, and documenting hazmat shipments, and also specific requirements for training hazmat employees. 

A “hazmat employee” under US DOT rules is anyone who can affect the safety of hazmat in transport, including workers who perform the pre-transportation functions listed above.  Learn more about who needs hazmat training and what’s required at Lion.com/Hazmat-Training.

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, new rules, PHMSA