Obexion Lithium Battery Packaging

The Groundhog saw his shadow last week, so it looks like we’re in for more winter.  Big surprise!  However, at least it means we’re finally sliding downhill towards the spring.  Things on the regulatory front in the US remain fairly quiet, but our Canadian friends are active, releasing a new round of proposals relating to DG transport in small containers.  See below for details.  Here’s the latest:

PHMSA

The agency reinstated the definition of what a specification package is in 49 CFR 171.8:

CFR Correction: In Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 100 to 177, revised as of October 1, 2017, on page 131, in § 171.8, reinstate the definition of ‘‘specification packaging’’ to read as follows: “Specification packaging means a packaging conforming to one of the specifications or standards for packagings in part 178 or part 179 of this subchapter.”

Here’s your link to the notice

CPSC

The Consumer Products Safety Commission is proposing to take action in reference to further regulating the chemical makeup and ignition characteristics of commercial/retail level fireworks and pyrotechnic devices.  While not directly DG related per se, changes based on the action may end up impacting fireworks classifications or packaging requirments.  If you’re in the industry, may be worth a look.  Here’s your pathway

OSHA

• It’s February, and so that means employers are required to post their OSHA 300 logs.  Each year, between Feb. 1 and April 30, the summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees and those in certain low-hazard industries are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping and posting requirements. Questions?  See the OSHA web page and guidance help right here
• OSHA has also released new guidance for managers tasked with performing safety walk throughs—the kind of informal visits to keep an eye on worker health and welfare that are so important to keeping your safety culture in place between formal audits.  OSHA provides tips to make the activity both effective and credible.  See the guidance here

Transport Canada

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate has released the proposed final draft of the third edition of the update to the Transport Canada Standard TP 14850: Small Containers for Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Classes 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8, and 9 (the Standard). This is the third and final consultation before the official publication of the Standard by Transport Canada. The Standard will be in force once adopted within the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.  Here’s a link to the new notice

UNECE/ADR

The controlling authority for the EU ADR regulations released a new set of country information updates, primarily focused on updating the list of competent authorities.  See the UNECE web page devoted to such updates here

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