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    The Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011

    - December 21, 2011 -

    U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) recently introduced Senate Bill 1952, known as the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011, which would amend and reauthorize the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (the “HMTA”) with the intended goal of improving hazardous materials transportation safety in the United States. The Senate legislation proposes changes to the U.S.…

    Summary of the 40th Session of the United Nations Sub-Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

    - December 15, 2011 - ,

    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…

    Newest Version of RegStick Features Multi-Publication Access, Improved Performance

    - December 1, 2011 - ,

    Labelmaster recently rolled out RegStick™ 2.0, an update of our novel electronic solution that provides up-to-date regulatory publications on a portable USB drive. This new release contains several innovative features that improve the RegStick experience: Our library of RegStick regulatory publications is now available from a single stick. Instead of purchasing individual sticks for each…

    Product Returns Present a Hazmat Challenge for Retailers

    - November 17, 2011 -

    As the holidays approach, many retail companies will see an influx of product returns due to extremely liberal return policies geared to attract customers. Retailers’ employees, though, don’t always recognize the potential hazards inherent in some consumer products. As a result, they may unknowingly violate federal laws and regulations, and put many at risk. Improperly…

    ICAO Considering Tighter Restrictions for Shipments of Lithium Batteries

    - November 3, 2011 - ,

    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…

    OSHA GHS Implementation Advances to OMB

    - October 28, 2011 -

    After a few weeks of delays, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted its revised hazard communication standard, which implements the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), to the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for final review on Oct. 25. The OIRA…

    OSHA GHS Implementation Remains in Regulatory Limbo

    - October 6, 2011 -

    September has come and gone without the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unveiling its revised Hazard Communication Standard. As mentioned in our previous post, OSHA is in the final stages of a rule-making process that will modify the current hazard communication standard to incorporate elements of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling…

    Recent Changes to US Hazard Communication Requirements for Labels, Placards and IBCs

    - September 22, 2011 - ,

    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…

    New FedEx Ground Hazardous Materials Shipping Requirement Takes Effect Next Month

    - July 21, 2011 - ,

    Beginning Aug. 1, 2011, FedEx Ground is implementing a new hazardous materials shipping rule that requires hazardous materials documentation be completed and submitted electronically. The new requirement is intended to reduce data entry errors and provide accurate information to emergency responders in the event of an incident. FedEx Ground will require all shippers to complete…

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