The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently posted its summary of changes to the 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). The ERG is revised every four years in order to accommodate new product introductions, technology updates and regulatory changes. The following is the list of modifications to the 2012 ERG as provided by PHMSA:…
PHMSA Considering Harmonization with International Air Requirements for Transport of Lithium Batteries and Cells
PHMSA is attempting to breathe new life into stronger domestic shipping standards for lithium batteries with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) issued today. PHMSA originally issued a NPRM to address the air transportation risks posed by lithium cells and batteries more than two years ago. Since that time, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO)…
The 2012 Dangerous Goods Instructors Symposium Returns to Chicago
The seventh edition of Labelmaster’s now iconic Dangerous Goods Instructors Symposium is coming up on Sept. 5-7 in our hometown of Chicago. I’m looking forward to welcoming more than 150 old and new colleagues to our meeting, which will take place at the DoubleTree Magnificent Mile. If you haven’t been to one of these unique…
New Inspection Rules for Importing Hazardous Chemicals into China
China has tightened the reins on hazardous chemical imports: beginning Feb. 1, China started compulsory inspections on more than 150 hazardous chemicals and substances brought into the country, specifically focusing on GHS compliance. The Chemical Inspection and Regulation Service (CIRS) noted that this is the result of an update to China’s 2012 Catalog of Entry…
Common Questions About the 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook
With the 2012 version of the Emergency Response Guidebook scheduled for distribution in the next few months, we’ve naturally received quite a few questions related to when ERGs will be in stock. The following FAQ aims to answer these inquiries: When will the ERG be ready to ship? In short, it’s up to the U.S.…
ICAO DGP Concludes Discussions, Agrees to Amend ICAO Technical Instructions to Further Reduce Risk Associated With Lithium Battery Shipments
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) held its specially scheduled working group this week at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The meeting was chaired by Geoff Leach, the member nominated by the United Kingdom. Sixteen out of the 19 members were in attendance along with observers from Dangerous Goods Advisory Council…
Amendment 35-10 of International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Now Mandatory
Background on the IMDG Code The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is the worldwide regulation for transporting dangerous goods by sea. The IMDG Code is written in conjunction with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The IMDG…
The Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 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
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
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…