Mid-September finds the regulatory world getting ready for a busy fall season, with annual revisions to the various modal regulations expected, the HM-215O 49 CFR harmonization still pending finalization, and a host of other potential actions that may or may not occur before the end of the year. Be sure and “stay tuned” to this blog for all the latest. Meanwhile, here’s the newest information:
IATA
The International Aviation Transportation Association leads the way with its release of expected changes to the 61st Edition of the DGR, which will become effective January 1st, 2020. Highlights include:
- Changes to rules regarding dangerous goods carried by passengers and crew
- A new clarification for placement of the excepted quantities marking on packagings
- Amendments to the DGL
- Sundry changes to packing instructions
- Specified instructions for placement of labels and markings
- Updated examples for shipping documents reflecting recent changes
- Extensively revised appendices, including a new Appendix I that lays out changes expected in 2021
You can find the document itself right here
EU ADR
In recent weeks, both Poland and Italy have signed the M318 multilateral amendment that allows for use of pressure cylinders approved by the USDOT for ground carriage in the EU states having approved M318. See the new list of approving states under M318 here
OSHA
The agency published a renewal request for an ICR that relates to Personal Protective Equipment in use for general industry, in this case pertaining mainly to fall protection. See the ICR renewal here
FMCSA
The agency has amended its hours-of-service (HOS) requirements applicable to drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to remove provisions requiring that a 34- hour restart include two periods between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. and limiting use of a restart to once every 168 hours—provisions that were promulgated in December 2011. Congress suspended these provisions pending completion of a naturalistic study comparing the effects of the restart provisions in effect under the 2011 rule versus provisions in effect prior to it. The 2017 naturalistic study found no statistically significant benefits from the restart rule. This final rule is effective September 12, 2019. See it here
STB
The agency published a renewal of its ICR requiring the submission of annual reports from the nation’s Class I railroad carriers. The “Surf Board” uses the resulting data to assist in decision making regarding policy affecting those carriers as well as their relations with the other, smaller component companies making up the nation’s integrated rail transport system. See the ICR here
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