HMR International Harmonization

PHMSA 01-08 FR HM-215M harmonization.pdf

On January 08, 2014 (80 FR 1076), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final ruling in the federal register to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) contained in 49 CFR Parts 171 – 180. The purpose of this final rule is 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 are necessary to harmonize the HMR with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions (ICAO TI) for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Model Regulations) and subsequently address three petitions for rulemaking. The effective date of this final ruling is January 1, 2015. PHMSA is authorizing voluntary compliance beginning January 1, 2015. Unless otherwise specified, compliance with the amendments adopted in this final rule is required beginning January 1, 2016.