HM-215K Harmonization of PHMSA Hazardous Materials Regulations with International Standards for Dangerous Goods

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is scheduled to publish docket HM-215K tomorrow regarding the harmonization of U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations with the United Nations Recommendations, IMDG Code and ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.

International standards will be adopted by the Hazardous Materials Regulations that include changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport limited quantities and vessel stowage requirements.

Voluntary compliance begins on January 1, 2011.

Mandatory compliance with the amendmends adopted in HM-215K begins on January 1, 2012.

To read the full docket HM-215K regarding harmonization, please click on the link below:

Harmonization docket HM-215K

PHMSA proposes harmonization changes with relevant international standards

Last month, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) with regards to potential harmonization with relevant international Standards. This NPRM (HM-215K) also proposes regulations that do not harmonize with international Standards as well.

One of the more interesting proposals is with regards to limited quantities.

PHMSA is considering the adoption of international standards for limited quantities into the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). With relative low risks in transporting limited quantities and the potential in savings and efficiency for transportation, limited quantity designations may be eliminated within three years or January 1, 2014.

To read the full NPRM, please follow this link to the official NPRM HM-215K document in PDF format.