Miscellaneous HMR Updates

PHMSA 06-02 FR misc HMR changes.pdf

On June 02, 2016 (81 FR 35483), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule in the federal register amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to make miscellaneous amendments 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, and simplify the regulations. The amendments in this rulemaking include, but are not limited to, removing the packing group (PG) II designation for certain organic peroxides, self-reactive substances, and explosives; incorporating requirements for trailers of manifolded acetylene cylinders; providing requirements to allow for shipments of damaged wet electric batteries; and revising the requirements for the packaging of nitric acid, testing of pressure relief devices on cargo tanks, and shipments of black or smokeless powder for small arms. This action is part of the Department of Transportation’s Retrospective Regulatory Review (RRR) process designed to identify ways to improve the HMR and completes the proposed amendments published in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) [Docket No. PHMSA–2013–0225 (HM–218H); 80 FR 3787] on January 23, 2015. This final rule is effective July 5, 2016 with voluntary compliance authorized June 2, 2016.