PHMSA Amends Hazmat Regulations to Align With International Standards

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is amending its Hazardous Materials Regulations to align them with recent changes to international standards, in a final rule (here) that requires compliance by Jan. 1, 2016. The final rule includes changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements, said PHMSA. The revisions harmonize the Hazardous Materials Regulations with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Model Regulations).