PHMSA Seeks Input Before International DG Meetings

US DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is preparing to attend meetings with international committees to consider revisions to global standards for shipping hazardous materials/dangerous goods.

About two weeks before each meeting, DOT will hold virtual listening sessions with hazardous materials shippers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to solicit input on rule proposals being considered. The schedule on DOT's website should be updated shortly to include the recently announced meetings.

DOT announced the meetings in the March 3, 2022 Federal Register.

The UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) plans to meet twice this year to discuss potential revisions to the UN Model Regulations for shipping hazardous materials. Changes approved during this year’s meetings may be incorporated into US DOT (49 CFR) and international DG regulations as soon as January 1, 2025.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel Working Group will gather as well, to consider proposed revisions to the 2024—2025 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions (TI).

International Meeting Schedule

PHMSA will represent US shippers, transporters, manufacturers, and other stakeholders at three separate meetings concerning hazardous materials transportation on the international stage this year.

At this time, the scheduled dates for international meetings are listed as “tentative.”

June 27—July 6
UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods—60^th session  
Geneva, Switzerland
(UNSCOE Website)

November 21—25
ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) Working Group 22 
Montreal, Canada
(ICAO Website)

November 28—December 6 
UNSCOE TDG—61^st session
Geneva, Switzerland
(UNSCOE Website)

What Happens at UNSCOE Meetings?

During the UNSCOE meetings, delegations from around the world present working papers to propose changes to the UN Model Regulations for the transportation of hazardous materials.

Provisional topics of discussion for the July 2022 UNSCOE meeting include:

• Listing, classification, and packaging of hazardous materials/dangerous goods
• Testing, classification, and transport regulations for lithium batteries
• Requirements for damaged or defective lithium batteries
• Transportation of gases
• Proposed amendments to the Model Regulations

More details about the international meetings

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Tags: dangerous goods, DOT compliance, hazardous materials, IATA DGR, shipping hazmat