We all know that training is mandated by law for any workers involved in the transport of Dangerous Goods. But what about supply chain workers who aren’t involved in hazmat transport? Should they undergo training as well? For many forward-thinking supply chain organizations, the answer is yes. Now, you might well ask, “Why would we…
The quick e-commerce guide to compliant Dangerous Goods returns
There has never been a bigger holiday season for e-commerce. And that means this will also be the biggest holiday season ever for e-commerce returns. Here are the startling stats: In Q3 2020, consumers spent nearly $200 billion online with U.S. retailers, up 37.1% from the same quarter in 2019. 1 in 4 e-commerce purchases…
A 6-step recipe for successful lithium battery reverse logistics
Among the many complications of our new e-commerce world, reverse logistics may be the most headache-inducing. In a recent Reverse Logistics article, I wrote that, “products bought at brick-and-mortar stores are returned around 9% of the time, while the return rate for online purchases is nearly three time higher.” Most of those millions of returns…
8 ways to prevent reverse logistics headaches this holiday season
If you’re a Dangerous Goods specialist at a retailer that ships electronics, you’re probably more nervous this holiday season than a 3rd-string quarterback on 4th-and-20. And it’s all due to four words: Lithium batteries. Reverse logistics. We really don’t need to say any more about the headaches lithium batteries have caused shippers over the last…
Dangerous Goods Report | Vol. 7
Summary: HM-215: Are you ready for the border patrol? If you ship Dangerous Goods, don’t let new border measurement regulations for labels and placards catch you unprepared. Ship damaged batteries in a fiberboard box? Yes, you can! Just in time for the largest cell phone recall ever—new Special Permit Packaging makes reverse logistics easier and…
Shipping damaged lithium batteries? Say hello to Special Permit Packaging!
Of all the headaches associated with shipping lithium batteries, the most acute of them might be return shipments of damaged or defective cells/batteries, or the equipment containing them. If that headache sounds familiar, we now have your ibuprofen. Based on a special permit from the U.S. Department of Transportation that grants relief from 49 CFR…
Dangerous Goods Report | Vol. 6
Summary: The Elements of Compliant Packaging: Why hazmat packaging comes in so many different forms, configurations and sizes. Infographic: Your Guide to Retail Reverse Logistics, or, “How to Keep Returns from Coming Back to Haunt You” It’s July 2016. Do you know where your hazcom compliance stands? Every workplace in the US should now—in theory,…
Infographic | Your Guide to Retail Reverse Logistics
For electronics companies in the e-commerce retail market, coordinating consumer returns of batteries and other hazardous materials can be a nightmare. Customers don’t know how to ship hazmat compliantly. In fact, they often don’t even know they’re shipping hazmat. And while recipients of non-compliant hazmat shipments (i.e., you) are not necessarily liable for mistakes made…
How can you keep customer returns of Dangerous Goods compliant?
Q: Reviewing the PHMSA HM-253 Final Rule on reverse logistics issued March 31, it appears it doesn’t really address returns from consumers to suppliers or manufacturers. How do you suggest keeping these shipments compliant? You are correct. Although the new PHMSA ruling contains regulatory relief for reverse logistics shipments that originate from retail stores, it…
USDOT/PHMSA formalizes requirements for “Reverse Logistics”
In today’s edition of the US Federal Register, the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule under Docket # PHMSA-2011-0143 (HM-253), RIN 2137-AE82 under which the agency sets forth specific rules to regulate the transport of materials under the so-called “Reverse Logistics” principle. This function…
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