Hazardous materials: miscellaneous amendments

Published in the June 2016 issue of Washington Update

The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Security Administration issued a final rule (FR) modifying the Hazardous Materials Regulations in order to update and clarify certain regulatory requirements. These amendments are designed to:

• Promote safer transportation practices.
• Address petitions for rulemaking.
• Respond to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Safety Recommendations.
• Facilitate international commerce.
• Make editorial corrections.
• Simplify the regulations.

The amendments in this rulemaking include, but are not limited to:

• Testing of pressure relief devices on cargo tanks in propane delivery.
• Removing the packing group II designation for certain organic peroxides incorporating requirements for trailers of manifolded acetylene cylinders.
• Providing requirements to allow for shipments of damaged wet electric batteries.
• Revising the requirements for the packaging of nitric acid, and shipments of black or smokeless powder for small arms.

Agency Contact: Michael Ciccarone 202-366-8553. PUBLISHED: 6/2/2016; ACTION: FR: REFERENCE: 81 FR 35483; REG: 49 CFR Parts 107, 171,172, 173, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179 and 180; EFFECTIVE: July 5, 2016.

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