PHMSA Harmonizes Hazmat Regulations With International Rules

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration finalized changes to its hazardous materials (hazmat) regulations intended to harmonize the regulations with international agreements, it said (here). The final rule implements recent changes 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 -- Model Regulations, PHMSA said. Also included are changes to align U.S. and Canadian regulations agreed to by the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council. The changes affect proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations and vessel stowage requirements, PHMSA said. Compliance with most provisions of the amended regulations is required beginning Jan. 1, 2018, though compliance with one provision is delayed until Jan. 2, 2019. PHMSA withdrew the final rule from publication in January (see 1701190073).