PHMSA Adoption of Special Permits

PHMSA 01-21 FR adopt DOT-SPs into HMRs.pdf

On January 21, 2016 (81 FR 3635), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule in the federal register amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) 49 CFR Parts 107 – 180 to adopt provisions contained in 96 widely-used or long-standing special permits (DOT-SPs) that have an established safety record. The adopted amendments are intended to provide wider access to the regulatory flexibility offered in these 96 special permits and eliminate the need for numerous renewal requests. The adopted amendments will also reduce paperwork burdens and facilitate commerce while maintaining an appropriate level of safety. PHMSA conducted an extensive analysis of all active special permits as of January 1, 2013; and codified, as appropriate, those special permits deemed suitable in this rulemaking. PHMSA also addresses public comments received from its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published in the federal register on January 30, 2015 (80 FR 5339). This final rule will become effective on February 22, 2016. PHMSA is authorizing voluntary compliance beginning February 22, 2016. Unless otherwise specified, compliance with the amendments adopted in this final rule is required beginning January 23, 2017.