China has tightened the reins on hazardous chemical imports: beginning Feb. 1, China started compulsory inspections on more than 150 hazardous chemicals and substances brought into the country, specifically focusing on GHS compliance. The Chemical Inspection and Regulation Service (CIRS) noted that this is the result of an update to China’s 2012 Catalog of Entry…
ICAO DGP Concludes Discussions, Agrees to Amend ICAO Technical Instructions to Further Reduce Risk Associated With Lithium Battery Shipments
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) held its specially scheduled working group this week at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The meeting was chaired by Geoff Leach, the member nominated by the United Kingdom. Sixteen out of the 19 members were in attendance along with observers from Dangerous Goods Advisory Council…
Review of OSHA’s GHS Final Rule Concluded
UPDATE (2/23): The Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs concluded the review of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s revised hazard communication standard on Feb. 21, 2012. The rule was returned to OSHA with a “consistent with change” notice, meaning OIRA did make modifications to the proposed rule. OSHA will…
Amendment 35-10 of International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Now Mandatory
Background on the IMDG Code The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is the worldwide regulation for transporting dangerous goods by sea. The IMDG Code is written in conjunction with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The IMDG…
Summary of the 40th Session of the United Nations Sub-Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
From Nov. 28 to Dec. 7, 2011, the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (the “Sub-Committee”) met in Geneva, Switzerland, to continue its work on the development of the 18th revised edition of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations (the “Model Regulations”). The Sub-Committee agenda…
ICAO Considering Tighter Restrictions for Shipments of Lithium Batteries
While the International Civil Aviation Organization Dangerous Goods Panel recently declined to implement more stringent rules for shipping lithium batteries, the group has agreed to convene a special session early next year, at which time it is expected they will reconsider the matter. Last month, the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) considered a working paper…
Recent Changes to US Hazard Communication Requirements for Labels, Placards and IBCs
On July 20, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published final rule HM-218F, which adopted various amendments to the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations in order to update and clarify certain regulatory requirements. By implementing these amendments, PHMSA hopes to: promote safer transportation practices; eliminate unnecessary regulatory requirements; finalize outstanding petitions for rulemaking; facilitate…
Implementation of Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations Still in a Holding Pattern
More than a year-and-a-half after the publication of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s HM-224F Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the path to a published rule remains elusive. At this current juncture, it appears PHMSA has yet to receive any direction on how to proceed in relation to the many controversial proposed requirements in…