Pitchers and catchers reported to training camp this week in the Major Leagues—that’s a sure sign of spring, although we still have a long way to go. But progress is progress! There was progress on the regulatory front as well, as PHMSA released its long-sought HM-215R international harmonization rule in proposed form. Finalization must await comments and potential revisions. See the details as well as other regulatory news right here:
PHMSA
As noted above, the agency has released its HM-215R proposed harmonization rule, bringing the 49 CFR into line with the various international texts based on the UN Model Regs, like the ICAO TI, IATA DGR, and IMO IMDG Code. Among other items, if adopted as published here, the new rule will:
- incorporate by reference updated versions of international hazardous materials regulations and standards
- make amendments to the Hazardous Materials Table to add, to revise, or to remove certain PSNs, hazard classes, PGs, SPs, packaging authorizations, bulk packaging requirements, and passenger and cargo aircraft maximum quantity limits
- provide an increase in authorized amounts of certain gases transported as limited quantities for modes other than air transportation
- make amendments to the organic peroxides table in § 173.225, which lists individual organic peroxide formulations that are authorized for transportation without prior approval.
- make amendments to provisions for the transport of tetramethylammonium
- offer new provisions for sodium ion batteries: PHMSA proposes to add new HMT entries and transport provisions for sodium ion batteries to maintain consistency with changes adopted in the 2025–2026 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions and the 23rd revised edition of the UN Model Regulations. The new provisions in the international regulations regulate sodium ion batteries in the same way as lithium ion batteries and are intended to address anticipated increases in the use of sodium ion batteries as an alternative to lithium ion batteries
- revise state-of-charge provisions for certain lithium and sodium ion batteries transported by air: PHMSA proposes expanding current state-of-charge requirements to certain lithium and sodium ion batteries transported by air. The new provision would limit the amount of stored energy to 30 percent or less of the battery’s capacity at the time of transport
- require improved Emergency Response Information for Lithium Batteries Transported as ‘‘UN3536, Lithium batteries installed in cargo transport unit lithium ion batteries or lithium metal batteries: ’’ PHMSA proposes to amend Special Provision 389 to require that the emergency response information for UN3536 specifically identify the predominant type of energy storage battery installed in the unit (e.g., lithium ion batteries or lithium metal batteries) and provide information on immediate methods for handling
- add exceptions for ammonium nitrate hot concentrated solution to add specific conditions under which solutions of ammonium nitrate (hot concentrated solution) can be transported under the HMT entry ‘‘UN2426, Ammonium nitrate’’ or can qualify for exception from regulation under the HMR.
- give exceptions for nitrocellulose membrane filters used in rapid test devices to add a new special provision with specific packaging requirements for ‘‘UN3270, Nitrocellulose membrane filters, with not more than 12.6% nitrogen, by dry mass’’ to be excepted from regulation
Read the complete proposal and find ways to comment no later than April 13th, 2026 at this link:
PHMSA is also extending the comment period in a request for preemption from Exxon Mobil Corporation in the matter of a lawsuit in reference to a state tort claim. The company is asking for federal relief in the matter. See details and how to comment here:
Finally, PHMSA published yet another set of Special Permit (SP) actions. See them at the link below:
IATA
Everyone loves new lithium battery transport guidance, and IATA has come through again. The Association has prepared an updated Lithium & Sodium Battery Guidance Document for 2026, available here:
FMCSA
The agency is amending the regulations for State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) issuing commercial driving credentials to non-domiciled individuals. This final rule reaffirms, with minor changes, the provisions of the interim final rule (IFR) published on September 29, 2025. Specifically, this final rule limits eligibility for nondomiciled Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for foreign-domiciled individuals to those who hold specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant status. This final rule is effective March 16, 2026. Link:
OSHA
The agency made another minor correction to the HCS revision published a few months ago. See the latest fix here:
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