PHMSA Final Rule on HazMat Harmonization with International Standards
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a final rule amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to maintain alignment with international standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. These revisions harmonize the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions), and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods–Model Regulations (UN Model Regulations) and address a petition for rulemaking. The rule became effective January 1, 2013. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-07/html/2012-31243.htm