This week sees the start of the new ICAO TI revision biennium! The 2013 regulations haven’t hit our collective desks yet and the ICAO experts are sitting down to talk about the next set of changes coming in 2015. Don’t you wish the politicians were as proactive?! And we’ve already seen some important variations to…
What’s New in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has released an overview of changes included in the newest edition of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), Amendment 36-12. The document, produced by Exis Technologies, details changes to: Stowage and Segregation Sources of Heat Foodstuffs Limited Quantities Explosives Additionally, the document mentions that new UN numbers (up…
PHMSA Publishes Long-Awaited HM-215L Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Harmonization the Hazardous Materials Regulations with International Standards
The DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published the long-awaited HM-215L Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) today. The NPRM proposes a number of amendments to align the Hazardous Materials Regulations; 49 CFR Parts 171-180 (HMR) with the latest editions of the United Nations Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (17th revised…
ICAO Publishes Fifth Addendum to 2011-12 Technical Instructions
The International Civil Aviation Organization recently published Addendum No. 5 to the 2011-12 edition of its Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The addendum mainly consists of additions and modifications to variations for countries and airlines; concurrently, there are table changes included which are related to the aforementioned variations. The addendum…
2013 A.I.R. Shipper Includes Changes to Lithium Battery Provisions, Package Quantity Rules
Production of the 2013 AIR Shipper is coming along. Odd years mean we’re including ICAO updates, so we’ll be featuring a black cover this time out. If you’re piloting a helicopter up in Alaska, you need to pay attention to this one! Of course, there are lots of other changes the ordinary dangerous goods shipper…
Time and Temperature Sensitive Label Now Mandatory for Select Healthcare Cargo Shipments
Beginning this month, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) now requires that certain healthcare cargo air shipments utilize a “Time and Temperature Sensitive” label in order to communicate the unique needs of these materials. Background of the need for the label, first introduced in 2010, was detailed in a recent IATA information notice: “The air…
The 41st Session of the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Part II
The 41st session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (the Sub-Committee) concluded on Wednesday. The following summary is the second and final in our series highlighting papers discussed during the course of the session. For more background on this meeting, please view our overview of the 41st Session…
PHMSA Responds to Recent Rule Appeals, Proposes to Extend ORM-D System Phase-Out Until End of 2015
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the U.S. Federal Register today addressing appeals that resulted from recent harmonization rules HM-215K and HM-231, both of which dealt with hazmat packaging requirements. Companies should examine the NPRM carefully and work with their respective trade organizations to ensure that…
US Postal Service Prohibits International Shipments of Lithium Batteries
Effective yesterday, the United States Postal Service (USPS) amended its mailing standards, the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), to incorporate provisions prohibiting the outbound international mailing of lithium batteries and devices containing lithium batteries. The move brings the USPS international mailing standards in line with recent actions by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the…
A Look at Five Common Hazmat Packaging Violations
Shipping hazardous materials involves compliance with a host of applicable regulations dependent on the material and mode of transport in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved in the process. However, confusion over certain aspects of hazmat transport leads to repeated violations of such rules. In order to help keep shippers aware…