PHMSA Issues Guidance for Shipping Organic Peroxides, Self-Reactive Materials

Earlier this year, the US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) finalized a rule to remove the Packing Group II (PG II) designation for organic peroxides and self-reactive substances. The change was among many “miscellaneous” hazmat updates made in a Final Rule posted to the Federal Register on June 2, 2016. The new rule has been in effect since July 5.

Last month, DOT PHMSA published a guidance document for shippers with questions about shipping these types of materials without a packing group.

Because there is now “no such thing” as a PG II self-reactive or organic peroxide, shippers are no longer required to list the Packing Group as part of the shipping description.

That said, some shippers may hold valid Hazmat Special Approvals for shipping these substances in certain ways. Even though a PHMSA Approval may list the Packing Group as PG II, the Approval will remain valid until it expires or until PHMSA amends, suspends, or terminates it. Shippers may also request a modification to remove PG II from an Approval under the rules at 49 CFR 107.709.

Preprinted shipping papars and package markings that include PG II may be used until July 5, 2017.

See the PHMSA guidance document here.

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Tags: 49, CFR, DOT, hazmat shipping, new rules