Many Labelmaster customers are more than just customers—they’re our true partners in making the Dangerous Goods supply chain safer and more efficient. One recent example is our new page on shipping lithium batteries via the U.S. Postal Service, which we developed following a suggestion from our longtime friends at third-party logistics provider GEODIS, Erin Gaul…
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A top 3PL offers e-commerce tips on shipping lithium batteries by USPS
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Shipping lithium batteries by mail: 3 things you must know
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Can one compliance gap ruin your bottom line? Ask the Night King.
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How is hazmat shipping like your favorite sport (and how do you win)?
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Add your voice to the 4th annual Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook
Latest Posts
DG Digest: PHMSA to hold public meeting on 2020 ERG
Sunday was Mothers’ Day; here’s hoping all the Moms out there got the “royal treatment.” Thank you for all you do! The week was a little busy in the regulatory sense; here’s all the latest: FAA The agency published a proposed new ICR that will affect the manufacturers of small unmanned aircraft (drones) and that…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 13, 2019
Week of May 13, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Enterprise systems continue to evolve to further drive automation and optimization for businesses. But maximizing the value of these systems requires dangerous goods companies to take a strategic approach to how they are used within the organization. To help companies keep a pulse…
Shipping lithium batteries by mail: 3 things you must know
If you’re in the hazmat business, you’re no stranger to Publication 52 from the United States Postal Service. Affectionately referred to as “Pub 52,” this public document (a.k.a. “Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail“) outlines the do’s and don’ts for the safe transport of Dangerous Goods via the U.S. mail. One of the thorniest topics in…
DG Digest: OSHA announces 2019 funding for underserved workplace programs
Spring is well underway now; many businesses will be attending to outdoor maintenance and grounds upkeep that may have been off the schedule in the winter months. It’s easy to get hurt on roofs or with power tools; be sure your team remembers and abides by the rules for engaging in those tasks to everyone…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 06, 2019
Week of May 06, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As the supply chain becomes faster and more complex, companies, especially those shipping dangerous goods, must rely on technology to keep pace. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout the supply chain,…
Can one compliance gap ruin your bottom line? Ask the Night King.
We all know Game of Thrones, the hit series currently in its final season on HBO, is really about hazmat transport. Fittingly, Sunday night’s episode 3 supplied a metaphor that every supply chain organization should take to heart. Spoiler alert: If you aren’t current on Game of Thrones, skip the next two paragraphs! The episode…
DG Digest: EPA proposes to amend TSCA reporting for small manufacturers
The last two weeks of April featured improving weather across the United States, and then a late season snow storm hit east of the Mississippi! Make sure your workplace’s cold weather and snow removal plans are still effective and protect those employees. Regulatory action was varied across the time period, with EPA action in reference…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 29, 2019
Week of April 29, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Advancements in technology leads to more complex supply chains, especially for companies shipping dangerous goods. It’s important for organizations to understand the impact new technologies have on their operations, and then leverage other technology solutions to effectively manage the process. To help companies…
How is hazmat shipping like your favorite sport (and how do you win)?
It’s a great time of year to be a sports fan. The NBA and NHL playoffs (WOW! What a first round…) are at full throttle, Major League Baseball is back and the NFL draft is right around the corner. The athletes who play those sports are the best in the world at what they do.…
Client ID Database has DG Stakeholders North of the Border Facing a New Registration Requirement
Formal consultation (the equivalent in Canada to the familiar US “Comment period” for proposed rulemakings) has ended in Canada on a new proposal which, according to Transport Canada, will require stakeholders who will: import, offer for transport, handle or transports dangerous goods in Canada To register with Transport Canada under the identification database requirement. The…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 22, 2019
Week of April 22, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Supply chain compliance is challenging, especially as increasingly strict rules and requirements are being played on organizations by their customers, including the adoption of technology. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout…
Add your voice to the 4th annual Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook
Labelmaster, Hazardous Cargo Bulletin (HCB) and IATA invite you to participate in the world’s most comprehensive survey of hazmat professionals. The revealed results of the annual Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook have become a tradition at the Dangerous Goods Symposium. A few insights usually take the crowd by surprise, and you hear reactions like: I’ve always…
DG Digest: PHMSA issues Emergency Waiver No. 13 for areas affected by severe flooding
Mid-April snow snarled much of the nation over the weekend, but it’s also now the culmination of tax season. Transport regulations may not be topping everyone’s list of things to think about this week; however, plenty of action took place all the same. Here’s the latest: PHMSA The agency published Emergency Waiver No. 13. This waiver…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 15, 2019
Week of April 15, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Moving goods across the supply chain can be complex, especially when transporting dangerous goods. Technology is key to helping companies more effectively manage their shipping processes. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods…
The hazmat pro’s guide to Game of Thrones, Season 8
At last, the moment for which hazmat pros have waited untold winters! The final season of Game of Thrones starts Sunday. Everyone in the Dangerous Goods galaxy knows Game of Thrones is really about hazmat transport. For all its swordplay, palace intrigue and dragons, the show addresses the same issues hazmat pros deal with every…
DG Digest: EPA eliminating requirement for mercury-based sensing devices for ignitability tests
The first week of April has ended—is your site experiencing “April showers that bring May flowers?” If so, make sure that your storm drains and other runoff devices aren’t clogged and that any regulated discharge doesn’t get into those storm drains. That tends to be a serious non-compliance issue for local municipal authorities who have…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 8, 2019
Week of April 8, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Today’s businesses want to make decisions based on facts, not guesses. That’s why more and more companies (including those shipping dangerous goods) are leveraging technology to access and analyze key operational data and apply predictive analytics. To help companies keep a pulse on…
Obexion’s “Excellence in Transit Packaging” award: our acceptance speech
Creating resources for safe and compliant Dangerous Goods transport isn’t generally considered a creative business. Unlike practitioners of film, music, television and literature, we don’t dream about winning awards. And yet, we have. Last week, at Industrial Pack 2019, our Obexion lithium battery packaging won the Industrial Packaging Award for Excellence in Transit Packaging. There…
DG Digest: U.S. DOT Seeks Stakeholder Input On Service Improvements
It’s April 1st, no fooling! The last week of March found regulatory activity fairly slow, with the biggest news being PHMSA’s announcement of its meeting schedule for pre-conferences to discuss upcoming international modal regulation meetings. See all the latest below: PHMSA The agency announced four meetings that will prepare the US delegations to the major…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 1, 2019
Week of April 1, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology continues to transform every industry sector. To successfully navigate the changing landscape, companies – especially those shipping dangerous goods – must understand how these shifts impact their supply chain operations. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and…
New survey will get pilots’ thoughts on Dangerous Goods training
We’ve written plenty about the importance of training for people who prepare Dangerous Goods shipments for air transport. But what about the people who actually fly the planes? James Wyatt, Senior Vice President Aviation Solutions at Avialytics GmbH, believes the training needs of pilots and flight crews aren’t adequately addressed by currently available resources. And…
DG Digest: EPA opens comment period on chemicals prioritization
As spring formally kicked off, it was a quiet week for regulatory activity. One item of note; after a lengthy genesis, the EPA is moving on the “designation “ phase for high and low priority substances under the revised Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA. See below for details, as well as the rest of…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 25, 2019
Week of March 25, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The adoption of new and innovative technologies are helping enable a digital supply chain and improve operations for global companies, especially those shipping dangerous goods. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout…
19 reasons to sign up for the 2019 Dangerous Goods Symposium now
It’s barely spring. Too soon to think about September? Not when we’re talking about the 2019 Dangerous Goods Symposium—slated for September 4–6 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The Symposium is the world’s premier event for hazmat professionals from all over the world—and anyone else who works hard every day to keep our supply chain safe.…
DG Digest: USPS to require triple packaging for most liquids
The St. Patrick’s Day holiday found regulatory activity at moderate pace. Perhaps the biggest news? The US Post Office released its long awaited updated to the rules for shipping liquids in the mail. See that, and all the latest news, right here: PHMSA The agency published three sets of special permit actions. As is typically…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 18, 2019
Week of March 18, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance New technologies have a ripple effect across the supply chain, especially when these technologies are classified as “dangerous.” To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout the supply chain, Labelmaster has launched “Supply…
Industrial Pack 2019: More networking, more experts, more hazmat
Ever see kids have more fun with the box than the toy that came inside it? That’s us. To most people, a shipping package is just a container, something to open so they can use whatever’s inside. But to Dangerous Goods pros, a package is a critical compliance tool. We respect the science, engineering and…
DG Digest: PHMSA harmonizes with ICAO on lithium battery transport
The second full week in March finds PHMSA having published its lithium battery by air revisions, and, just to make things interesting, the agency threw in a twist. See the details below. Meanwhile, Spring Break season is here. Make sure your employees don’t get distracted from their need to be safe—a looming vacation can often…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 11, 2019
Week of March 11, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation has crept into every part of our personal and professional lives. For companies shipping and handling dangerous goods (DG), these new technologies have a significant impact on the supply chains – including how they must approach compliance. To help companies keep…
DOT PHMSA Lithium Battery Interim Final Rule (IFR) Effective Immediately
The long-awaited DOT PHMSA Interim Final Rule (IFR) enhancing the safety provisions for lithium batteries transported by aircraft appeared in the Federal Register this week on March 6th. This IFR generally harmonizes the 49 CFR with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (regulations effective in the ICAO TI…
Hazmat pros—with HM-215O coming, how do you spell “harmonization?”
Last week we shared transatlantic viewpoints on confidence in Dangerous Goods compliance. This week, our experts talk about harmonization between Europe and North America. The supply chain is more global than it’s ever been. Yet Dangerous Goods regulations still vary from country to country. The differences in hazmat regulations between Europe and North America are—thankfully—nowhere…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases draft rule: lithium battery harmonization may be upon us
PHMSA The agency, in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration and pursuant to the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) of 2015, issued a final rule to revise and clarify requirements for comprehensive oil spill response plans (COSRPs) and to expand their applicability based on petroleum oil thresholds that apply to an entire train…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 4, 2019
Week of March 4, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is helping create a digital supply chain that enables more intelligent and forward-thinking operations. For companies shipping and handling dangerous goods (DG), this modern approach must include compliance. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement…
Why are American hazmat pros less confident? Two experts weigh in.
Remember, back when you were in school, the feeling of walking out of a final exam knowing you absolutely nailed it? That’s how we want Dangerous Goods pros to feel about their operations every day—like they got every last detail right, and that all their outcomes will be positive. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. Year…
DG Digest: PHMSA seeks renewal of ICRs for transport of radioactive materials in commerce
The last weekend of February finds the nation still coping with heavy winter weather. Perhaps March will see things get better, but don’t let up on your efforts to keep employees safe from snow and ice, and keep hoping for an early spring! Meanwhile, regulatory activity was somewhat lighter this week. Here’s the latest: PHMSA…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 25, 2019
Week of February 25, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is a necessity in today’s complex, fast-paced supply chain. This is especially true for companies shipping and handling dangerous goods (DG) – as they look for ways to effectively and efficiently comply with ever-changing regulations while meeting increasing customer demands. To help…
DG Digest: OSHA issues guidance aiming to protect workers from lithium batteries worn as personal equipment
Mid-February finds a variety of action taking place on the regulatory front as everyone waits for winter to run its course. With the shutdown now receding, agencies have ramped back up to normal operations, and are busy with their schedules. Here’s all the latest: FAA The agency published the renewal of an ICR affecting Part…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 18, 2019
Week of February 18, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation continues to change how we do business. For companies that handle dangerous goods, technology adoption and integration is critical in order to effectively and efficiently comply with complex regulations and maintain a smooth, safe and secure supply chain. To help companies…
The Labelmaster guide to Valentine’s Day hazmat shipping
Today is the day when people all over the world celebrate love. This celebration is often manifested by the sending of cherished missives and objects from lover to lover. While the standard Valentine’s card or box of chocolates requires no special measures, it’s important to realize that many romantic notions have Dangerous Goods implications. We…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 11, 2019
Week of February 11, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation is a key driver in taking the supply chain forward and changing how you do business. Best-in-class companies that handle Dangerous Goods (DG) understand that technology adoption and integration is critical to effectively and efficiently complying with complex, constantly changing regulations…
DG Digest: FRA publishes emergency relief docket and DOT reviewing need for some external guidance documents
The last two weeks found federal agencies slowly returning to their normal schedules following the recent shutdown. The result? A much busier DG Digest! Meanwhile, much of the country is experiencing the grip of the depth of winter. Is your workplace safe for employees? Remember to keep your walkways clear and dry, watch inside flooring…
Total value of compliance, Part 3: Creating new revenue from DG compliance
Managing a Dangerous Goods shipping operation is a lot like running a farm. It may seem like all you do is spend money, while the potential profits are hard to imagine—and a long way off. But if a farmer makes every decision with that long term in mind, the operation is much more likely to…
Total value of compliance, Part 2: What do compliance gaps actually cost you?
Every hazmat pro knows a Dangerous Goods shipment that doesn’t comply with current regulations could end up costing their company money. In fact, 28% of hazmat pros surveyed in our 2018 Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook said their companies comply with regulations only because the regulations mandate it. In other words, all they want to…
DG Digest: OSHA rescinds rule for some employers to efile injury and illness rates
After a hiatus tied to the government shutdown, the DG Digest returns along with the reopening Monday morning of the federal agencies we cover. What will the now-ended shutdown’s impact be? It’s difficult to say for certain. The biggest item on PHMSA’s agenda is the HM-215O international harmonization NPRM; comments on that are scheduled to…
Total value of compliance, Part 1: Assessing your hazmat processes and procurement
Trick question: Do you spend too much on Dangerous Goods compliance? Most hazmat professionals would probably answer “yes.” Whenever we have to spend money on something that doesn’t show an immediate benefit, it always feels like we’re spending too much. And there’s no getting around it—Dangerous Goods compliance requires a financial outlay. But the real…
DOT Departments Limit Services During Continued Government Shutdown
Have you been curious how the partial Government shutdown has affected the Department of Transportation (DOT) offices? DOT recently issued a plan document outlining how each office is operating during the current funding freeze. It includes a summary of personnel affected (working vs. furloughed), as well as summaries of continuing operations and suspended activities. Hazardous…
How a free Total Value of Compliance Assessment can make your hazmat operation more profitable
Late last year, we introduced a new concept to the Dangerous Goods galaxy: total value of compliance. It’s a new way of thinking about supply chain operations that views hazmat compliance as not just a cost of doing business, but also as a value-added component that contributes to profitability. Maybe you read that post, and…
Hazmat hopes 2019: Top Dangerous Goods professionals share their wishes
Work in Dangerous Goods long enough, and you may find yourself wishing things were different. Couldn’t that new IATA regulation be worded more clearly? Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to explain Limited Quantities to your customer—for the third time? And how exactly does a 2mm-thick label border make a hazmat shipment safer?…
DG Digest: 2019 ADR eFile and Corrigenda & UPS DG Tables and Variations Now Available
Happy New Year! The first blog post of the year for the DG Digest finds the ongoing government shutdown still in effect. As such, US regulatory activity is minimal. As of press time, there was no new information on the impact the shutdown may have on federal regulatory schedules or other activity moving forward. The…
10 must-have items for hazmat shipping when your eyelashes freeze
Happy New Year! For those of us in northern climes, we’re well past the isn’t-winter-wonderful? phase and well into the enough-already-with-the-freezing-rain phase. Yet Dangerous Goods shipments don’t care if your eyelashes freeze together or your fingertips go numb. Your customers and supply chain partners still expect your shipments to be safe, compliant and on time,…
DG Digest: Regulatory news from PHMSA, FMCSA, EPA and more as 2018 ends with partial government shutdown.
The end of the year finds portions of the federal government shut down, including the Department of Transportation. At press time, there was no specific information or guidance on either the DOT or PHMSA websites as to the exact impact that this shutdown will have on regulatory schedules or other departmental activity. This column will…
From hazmat hopes to new paradigms: Our top 12 posts of 2018
If you only have time to read one blog about the Dangerous Goods supply chain, we’re glad you make it ours. And if you don’t even get the time to read our blog every week, here are our top 12 posts from the last year, in chronological order: Hazmat hopes: A 2018 wish list from…
2018: The year in Dangerous Goods regulations
2018 was a relatively quiet year in the Dangerous Goods galaxy, with few major new regulatory changes and no unexpected surprises from domestic or international regulatory bodies. Still, as Labelmaster’s Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Responsibility, I hear all the questions from our customers and partners about how best to comply with regulations. This…
Total value of compliance, as explained by Chicago Bears fans
Lots of us at Labelmaster are excited about our hometown Chicago Bears, who are poised to make the National Football League playoffs for the first time in eight years. As one of the league’s biggest turnaround stories, the Bears have made sharp improvements in several statistical categories. One improvement that gets very little attention? Penalty…
How CEVA’s Rusty McMains makes the C-Suite pay attention to hazmat
In today’s supply chain, the way people think about Dangerous Goods transport is evolving. It used to be common for organizations to view hazmat compliance as a necessary evil—just a cost of doing business. They cared about safety, and they cared about avoiding delays and civil penalties, but that was the extent of their concern.…
How Your Systems Can Simplify Hazmat and Multi-Carrier Shipping Compliance to Fuel Growth
Businesses today are in a constant struggle to grow revenues, control costs, and (for shippers of dangerous goods) reduce business risks. Thanks to advancing technology, managing your hazmat shipping processes is easier than ever, but it takes proactive planning and thought to apply the right technology to the right points in your enterprise, especially in…
DG Digest: IATA updates lithium battery handling guidance and the FAA posts 2019 drug and alcohol testing rates
Our entry into December and the full-on holiday season finds regulatory activity back to a slightly lower level after last week’s big HM-215O release. Don’t let the holiday rush impact your workplace’s safety plan; many people have busy schedules and lots to do away from the job for the next month or so. Be sure…
Why “total value of compliance” is a new paradigm for hazmat shippers
Why do you pursue Dangerous Goods compliance? Take a moment before you answer, because the real reason may not be as obvious as you think. We’ve been asking hazmat professionals that question for years, and the answers have evolved. Today, nearly a quarter of companies in the DG supply chain pursue compliance because it’s a…
This Thanksgiving, DG also stands for “Deepest Gratitude.”
We know lots of Dangerous Goods professionals are on vacation this week, but the supply chain never takes a holiday. That’s why we’d like to take a few moments to share our thanks for everyone who helps keep our highways, skies, rails and oceans safe. Thank you to the truckers, pilots, train drivers and others…
DG Digest: PHMSA issues emergency HMR relief for areas hit by Hurricane Michael, and IATA issues new guidance for personal mobility devices on passenger aircraft
The last week of October finds the nation grappling with the midterm election cycle and, again, the shadow of public violence. Certainly we here at Labelmaster offer our deepest condolences to those affected by what has happened in Pittsburgh and elsewhere. The last two weeks featured a busy surge in regulatory activity as many of…
