Rule Clarifies Status of USPS Hazmat Regulations

Posted on 9/27/2021 by Roger Marks

USPS is amending the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) and 39 CFR to clarify that the regulations for mailing hazardous materials are found in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.

Read the Final Rule.

USPS removed its regulations for hazardous, restricted, and perishable materials from the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) in 2014 to reduce the size of the manual and moved them to Publication 52.

Publication 52 is available online.

The Final Rule also lists a variety of publications and memoranda that USPS uses to create new regulations. These includes Publication 52 as well as the DMM, the Postal Operations Manual, the International Mail Manual, circulars, handbooks, management or regional instructions, memoranda of policy, and more.

In the Rule, USPS clarifies what makes something a USPS regulation:

“...status as regulations depends not on the formal designation of the document, but on its statement of binding rules of future effect beyond those stated elsewhere in the Postal Service regulations.”

Enforceable USPS regulations are not necessarily codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, although they may be.

Hazmat Postal Shipper Online Training

Lion's Hazmat Postal Shipper Online Course covers the USPS Publication 52 requirements that shippers must follow to offer hazardous materials through the mail. Build on your knowledge of US DOT's 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and learn the unique requirements for hazardous materials by mail.

Shippers who complete this online course build expertise to identify which materials can be mailed; which are prohibited; and how to ensure safe, on-time delivery of hazmat by mail.

Recent USPS Hazmat Rule Changes

Recent rule changes initiated by USPS concerning hazardous materials by mail include:

Updated Publication 52 to remove references to ORM-D for consumer commodities.
Proposed changes for treatment of e-cigarettes in the mail.
Increased civil penalties for hazmat mailing violations.
Revised regulations for shipping Category B infectious Substances to facilitate deployment of COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

More about USPS and hazardous materials

Tags: hazardous materials, hazmat by mail, Publication 52, USPS, USPS hazmat

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

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

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

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

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

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

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.