Few within the hazmat industry believed a hazmat reauthorization bill would be approved prior to November’s U.S. presidential election. Thus, in what should be considered a surprising move, Congress passed a $105-billion transportation bill this past Friday, part of which includes provisions for hazardous materials transportation safety. The complete text for the Moving Ahead for…
New ICAO Lithium Battery Regulations Will Present Significant Challenges in 2013. Are You Ready?
One of the most noteworthy changes that will come into force in the 2013 ICAO Technical Instructions is the reworking of the various packing instructions for lithium ion and metal batteries and cells. ICAO has determined that some lithium batteries currently assigned to Section II of Packing Instruction 965 (for lithium ion) and 968 (for…
PHMSA Responds to Recent Rule Appeals, Proposes to Extend ORM-D System Phase-Out Until End of 2015
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the U.S. Federal Register today addressing appeals that resulted from recent harmonization rules HM-215K and HM-231, both of which dealt with hazmat packaging requirements. Companies should examine the NPRM carefully and work with their respective trade organizations to ensure that…
US Postal Service Prohibits International Shipments of Lithium Batteries
Effective yesterday, the United States Postal Service (USPS) amended its mailing standards, the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), to incorporate provisions prohibiting the outbound international mailing of lithium batteries and devices containing lithium batteries. The move brings the USPS international mailing standards in line with recent actions by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the…
A Look at Five Common Hazmat Packaging Violations
Shipping hazardous materials involves compliance with a host of applicable regulations dependent on the material and mode of transport in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved in the process. However, confusion over certain aspects of hazmat transport leads to repeated violations of such rules. In order to help keep shippers aware…
Changes to 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook Now Available
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)…
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…
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.…