Hazardous materials: Adoption of miscellaneous petitions to reduce regulatory burdens

Published in the August 2019 issue of North American Government News

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking responding to numerous petitions for rulemaking submitted by the regulated community that request PHMSA address a variety of provisions, including but not limited to those addressing packaging, hazardous communication, and incorporation by reference documents. PHMSA proposes amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations to update, clarify, improve the safety of, or provide relief from various regulatory requirements. The proposed amendments include adopting a phase-out schedule for certain railroad tank cars used to transport materials poisonous by inhalation, allowing the continued use of certain portable and mobile refrigerator systems commonly used in the produce industry, incorporating an industry standard that can help to enhance the production of oil and gas wells, and incorporating an updated consensus standard which applies to the existing market for fireworks; as well as additional proposed amendments derived from PHMSA's petition for rulemaking process. Comments must be submitted by October 15, 2019. Agency Contact: Steven Andrews 202-366-8553.

PUBLISHED: 8/14/2019; ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; REFERENCE: 84 FR 41556; REG: 49 CFR parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 178, 179 and 180.

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