Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

PHMSA to Address 2-mm Border Rule for Hazmat Labels

Posted on 5/21/2018 by Roger Marks

All-Hazmat-Labels.jpgOn May 8, 2018 the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a letter of interpretation in which the Director of Standards and Rulemakings clarifies that DOT will rescind or otherwise un-do a requirement for all hazmat labels to feature a 2-millimeter solid line forming the inner border.


Background on the 2-mm Hazmat Label Border Line Rule

Published in January 2015, Final Rule HM-215M made numerous updates and changes to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to harmonize US rules with new international standards. Among these changes was the addition of exacting requirements for hazmat labels to 49 CFR 172.407, specifically:
 
  • Each diamond label must be at least 100 mm on each side;
  • Each side must have a solid line inner border 5 mm inside and parallel to the edge; and
  • The width of the solid inner border line must be at least 2 mm.
In March 2017, PHMSA delayed the effective date of these new requirements until December 31, 2018.


Removal of the 2-mm Border Line Requirement

After hearing concerns from hazmat shippers and industry stakeholders, international authorities recognized that the 2-mm inner border line on hazmat labels has no effect on transportation safety.
Therefore, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) decided to remove the 2 mm border line requirement from the ICAO Technical Instructions in April 2018, effective in the 2019-2020 edition.  

Now, PHMSA is following suit and assuring shippers that the burdensome 2-mm border line requirement will be addressed in an upcoming rulemaking. 2018 is a “harmonization year” for PHMSA, meaning a rule to adopt new or updated international standards is already on the docket for this year.
 

2 Days, 2 Certificates—RCRA and DOT Hazmat Training in North Jersey

If you manage and ship hazardous waste or hazardous materials, you must know both the US EPA’s RCRA waste management rules and the US DOT’s rules for packaging, labeling, loading, and documenting shipments.

Join an expert Lion instructor on August 14–15 at our brand new Environmental Training Center in Sparta, NJ to update both your RCRA (40 CFR 262.17) and DOT hazmat (49 CFR 172.704) certifications with two-days of interactive, reliable hazardous waste and hazmat training trusted nationwide!
Enroll now to join experienced instructors and professionals and earn IHMM, LSRP, and NEHA credit when you attend.

Space is limited! Reserve your seat now.
 

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, marks and labels, new rules, PHMSA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

I can't say enough how pleased I was with this course! Everything finally makes sense.

Kim Graham

Lab Manager

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This report details major changes for hazardous waste generators from US EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule, as well as the latest updates from states that are still working to adopt new, stricter Federal requirements.

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.