DG Digest: PHMSA, OSHA, & Transport Canada Release New Items

May 12, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

Sunday was Mother’s Day! Hopefully all the Moms out there had a chance to relax and get pampered a little. It’s a tough job! Here’s this week’s regulatory news:

PHMSA

After a bit of a slow start this year, PHMSA is busy rolling out Special Permit actions. Here’s the latest batch. See the three links:

2025-08271.pdf
2025-08272.pdf
2025-08273.pdf

OSHA

The agency published a renewal of an ICR related to its Workplace Inorganic Arsenic Standard. See it here:

2025-07806.pdf

Transport Canada

The Ministry released the latest in a whole sequence of helpful guidance documents. This new one relates to placing labels and markings on “small means of containment” (i.e. non-bulk packages). These guidance documents do not change the regulations, but instead provide information about how to successfully comply with them. See the new guidance here:

Dangerous goods marks on a small means of containment

Labelmaster is a full-service provider of products, shipping and training software, and professional consulting services to assist the DG and HS&E professional to comply with national and international regulations. See our full line of solutions at www.labelmaster.com.

DG Digest: IATA published an update – addendum to the 66th edition of the IATA DGR

May 6, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

Welcome to May! Hopefully, most of us will get to enjoy the spring flowers that April showers presage. However, May is also the statistically most active month for tornado activity in the continental US. So, it is a good month to keep an eye on the sky and to ensure that your workplace’s emergency shelter plan is up to date and that employees know their role if it becomes necessary to enact the plan. Meanwhile, here’s the last week’s regulatory news:

IATA

The Association has published an update, or addendum to the 66^th edition of the DGR. The update is relatively minor, consisting mostly of revisions to state and carrier limitations. There is also some updates applied in the realm of sodium ion batteries—close chemical cousins to lithium ion batteries and treated similarly under the same packing instructions. For example, Section II training requirements are revised to include them. The DGL is also updated with sodium batteries assigned to certain special provisions. Other DGL edits include the reinsertion of certain Class 8 corrosives. See the full addendum here:

Microsoft Word – DGR-66 Addendum 1 – EN – Final

PHMSA

The agency released a new Letter of Interpretation (LOI) in response to a request for clarification regarding the suitability (or lack thereof) of certain types of non-rigid packaging (such as plastic bags) when used with consumer goods that themselves are placed in rigid retail packages when being shipped as Limited Quantities. The gist of the LOI is that the onus of determining suitability is up to the offeror, however PHMSA also cautions against assuming that any given package may or may not be suitable, instead noting that such situations must be judged on a case basis. See the LOI here:

PMSA Final Response Sturdy Packaging

DG Digest: USDOT Published a New Organizational Chart

April 28, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

The last full week of April was a quiet one in the regulatory world, with minimal news. See the latest below:

USDOT

The department has published a new organizational chart outlining the changes in leadership and responsibility that are in place now that the transition of administrations is complete. See the new chart at the link here:

USDOT Orgazational Chart

DG Digest: PHMSA Updates Hazmat Registration Packet and Info for Letters of Interpretation, Plus FMCSA has a New ICR and More

April 21, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

The busy holiday weekend has ended, and the nation is rolling into the heart of spring weather. That often means significant severe weather threats in many areas, so if your workplace is located in such an area, be sure that your safety plan is up to date and your employees know what to do to shelter and respond. Meanwhile, here’s this week’s regulatory news:

PHMSA

The agency has released a new registration information packet and form to use. If your business is subject to the registration requirements, check it out here:

Registration by Mail Brochure | PHMSA

The agency has changed the method under which Letters of Interpretation (LOI) are to be considered and issued. The new process allows for a thirty day public comment period for stakeholders—a significant change. Find more information here:

Letters of Interpretation | PHMSA

Transport Canada

The Ministry published a new guidance bulletin explaining the relationship between dangerous goods classes and their various marking and labeling requirements. See the new guidance bulletin here:

Dangerous goods marks and classes description (handout)

FMCSA

The agency published an ICR related to its licensing standards for commercial motor vehicle drivers. See the ICR here:

2025-06473.pdf

DG Digest: Transport Canada published an updated packaging standard. OSHA released an ICR renewal dealing with lead.

April 14, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

Regulatory activity is still tending towards being relatively minimal this spring. However, hopefully everyone is getting a chance to enjoy the warmer weather! Here’s the latest news:

Transport Canada

A new edition of the followingstandard has been developed by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) and was published in April 2025:

CAN/CGSB-43.150-2025 “Design, manufacture and use of UN standardized drums, jerricans, boxes, bags, combination packaging and other packagings for the transport of dangerous goods, casses 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8, and 9”.

Access the new standard here: Notice – New Edition of Can/CGSB-43.150 is published

OSHA

The agency published an ICR renewal in reference to its Lead Standard in General Industry. While no longer used in paint, many older buildings and materials may have lead-based coatings still applied and care must be used in its removal and disposal. See the ICR here:

2025-06265.pdf

DG Digest: DOT Issues Notice – Request for Comment on Reducing Regulations

April 7, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

This week’s regulatory news is somewhat overshadowed by the larger news on the international trade front, which as everyone is almost certainly already aware, is in a state of considerable flux. What impacts may or may not occur in reference to that in relation to dangerous goods shippers is of course also in flux. Stay tuned here for all the latest. Meanwhile, here’s the rest of the week’s news:

PHMSA

The agency issued a notice of enforcement discretion as it relates to the HM-263 final rule of June 2024. This rule requires rail carriers to provide to requesting emergency response agencies much more comprehensive real-time data on dangerous goods shipments in transit over their networks. The enforcement discretion, in practical terms delays required implementation of the new rule until June of 2026. Rail carriers maintain that they need more time to prepare their networks to be able to provide the data. See the details here:

PHMSA Notice of Enforcement Discretion – Real Time Train Consist Information

The agency also issued another series of special permit (SP) actions. See the various actions at the three links below:

2025-05945.pdf

2025-05946.pdf

2025-05947.pdf

USDOT

As part of its implementation of policy issued by the president, the agency seeks comments and information to assist it in what it says will be “…identifying existing regulations and other regulatory obligations that can be modified or repealed to achieve meaningful burden reduction.” Comments are requested on or before May 5, 2025. See full details of this initiative here:

2025-05557.pdf

Transport Canada

The Ministry published a warning document advising stakeholders about the potential presence of non-compliant Oxygen and or Acetylene cylinders in welding kits. See full details of the safety advisory here:

Non-compliant cylinders in welding kits

DG Digest: PHMSA Releases New Special Permit Actions

March 31, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

If you guessed that regulatory activity might still be slow, you guessed correctly. Meanwhile, spring weather is making its mark on the country with a number of storms impacting various places. Keep those severe weather safety plans dusted off! Here’s the week’s news:

PHMSA

The agency published its first tranche of special permit actions since the change in federal administrations. See the actions here:

2025-05048.pdf

2025-05049.pdf

2025-05050.pdf

OSHA

The agency issued an ICR renewal related to the Benzene Standard. Benzene is a widely used industrial chemical but can be a carcinogen hazard if used incorrectly. See the ICR here:

2025-05327.pdf

DG Digest: New DOT Internal Guidance Memo – Changes to the Conduct of Enforcement Actions

March 24, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

Regulatory activity remains relatively low as the federal government’s “freeze” continues. Stay tuned to our blog, however, as we’ll continue to bring you all the news that matters to DG and HSE professionals. Here’s the latest update:

USDOT

The agency has published a new, thirty-one part internal agency guidance document providing DOT staff with a revised structure and set of rules intended to govern its future conduct of investigations and enforcement actions. In general terms, the guidance document can be said to implement what many people might view as being additional administrative and procedural constraints on the conduct of DOT enforcement activities and the related imposition of any penalties. One item of particular interest is that the document specifically prohibits any use of DOT public guidance documents as a basis for enforcement actions. See the full document here:

Read the Procedural Requirements for DOT Enforcement Actions

PHMSA

The agency published a notice to solicit information to evaluate the test design for proposed bonfire tests on fully charged composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) with different pressure relief devices; seek input on how test results could inform design guidelines for COPVs; and solicit feedback on the impacts of possible updates for design guidelines. Interested parties are invited to submit comments on or before June 17, 2025. Find full details here:

2025-04605.pdf

DG Digest: PHMSA Meeting Announcements

March 17, 2025 by Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA with 0 comment

The end of this coming week will also feature then end of calendrical winter. Spring is always a welcome new season, but now is also a time to think about storm preparedness for your workplace. Spring weather often features heavy storm activity in many parts of the country. Be sure your safety and shelter plans are in place! Here’s this week’s regulatory news:

PHMSA

The agency announced it will host four public meetings during 2025 in advance of certain international meetings:

The first meeting will be held in preparation of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) Working Group 25 (WG/25) scheduled for April 21–25, 2025 in Delhi, India.
The second meeting will be held in preparation of the 66th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) scheduled for June 30– July 4, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The third meeting will be held in preparation of the 30th session of the ICAO DGP (DGP/30) scheduled for October 6–10, 2025 in Montreal, Canada.
The fourth meeting will be held in preparation of the 67th session of the UNSCOE TDG scheduled for November 24–December 3, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In each of these meetings, PHMSA will solicit public input on current proposals. Each public meeting will take place approximately two weeks preceding the international meeting at DOT Headquarters, with specific dates to be announced at a later time. See more details here:

2025-03912.pdf

Embracing Sustainability in DG Packaging: A Path Forward

March 10, 2025 by Labelmaster with 0 comment

The push for sustainable packaging is skyrocketing.

In 2024, 48% of companies selling DG products prioritized sustainability, — more than double the number of companies that went eco-friendly in 2023. Overall, as of last year, 81% of companies managing dangerous goods (DG) and hazmat operations have adopted sustainability practices.

Meanwhile, traditional packaging is increasingly scrutinized in industries like pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and chemicals with several states even enacting bans on certain types of materials.

The need for more sustainable hazmat packaging is why DGeo, backed by Labelmaster’s 50+ years of DG expertise, continues to innovate and partner with other industry leaders to offer sustainable packaging alternatives that deliver the same quality, performance, and usability while significantly reducing environmental impact.

Reimagining Packaging Solutions Without Sacrificing Performance

One noteworthy example of a sustainable alternative to conventional packaging is BioEPS®. Traditional Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, which is typically used in coolers for temperature-controlled goods, is non-biodegradable. It takes centuries to decompose, only adding to the world’s microplastic pollution problem.

In contrast, BioEPS coolers offer the same quality and performance as typical EPS, but with a much better end-of-life story.

BioEPS uses a bio-based additive that allows the material to break down in a bioreactive landfill by an average of 92 percent over 4 years, without leaving behind microplastics. Overall, the human impact of BioEPS is typically 37.2% less than EPS.

What does that mean? Consider that 1,000 BioEPS coolers save 30 kg of CO2 compared to typical EPS.

Modern, eco-friendly solutions like BioEPS make it easier for businesses to switch to more sustainable packaging materials without sacrificing their supply chain’s speed, efficiency, and performance – which is why DGeo added BioEPS coolers to its already deep lineup of packaging solutions.

The Future of Business (and Packaging) is Sustainable

As of 2024, a whopping 75% of executives cited that they believe sustainability drives better business results and 76% are making sustainability a key focal point in their overall business strategy.

To help meet the demand for more sustainable shipping solutions, businesses often need to rethink their approach to hazmat packaging. According to Bradley Saveth, President & COO at SupplyCaddy, “Sustainable packaging is not just about the materials used; it also encompasses innovative design approaches that optimize packaging efficiency.”

For example, the Capsuloc™ hazmat shipping container is made of hard, durable plastic and features a twist-on lid, using a torque wrench, allowing the container to be reused repeatedly without denting. This offers DG companies a more sustainable and safer alternative to the traditional metal “paint can” containers that have been used for decades.

BioEPS coolers and Capsuloc containers are just two examples of environmentally friendly, cost-effective alternatives to traditional DG packaging materials. By prioritizing circularity, sustainable sourcing and resource efficiency, the shift toward smarter, greener innovations in packaging has the potential to benefit not only businesses but also our communities and future generations.

Experience the Change for Yourself

Based on the corporate focus on sustainability, adoption of eco-friendly packaging within the hazmat industry will likely only continue to grow. If you’re unsure about the quality of eco-friendly packaging, requesting a sample is a small (and often free) step you can take as you consider new sustainable options.

By embracing sustainable packaging solutions, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact while maintaining (or even exceeding) operational efficiency and meeting regulatory requirements.

Discover how DGeo can help transform your supply chain into a model of sustainability at www.DGeo.com.