On November 25, 2020 (85 FR 75680), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule in the federal register amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) in response to 24 petitions for rulemaking submitted by the regulated community between February 2015 and March 2018. This final rule updates, clarifies, or provides relief from various regulatory requirements throughout 49 CFR Parts 107 – 180 without adversely affecting safety. Some noting changes in this final rule include: 1. Harmonizing availability of limited quantity shipping exceptions for more than 100 entries for corrosive materials in the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT, 172.101); 2. Revising 172.302(b)(2) to allow a minimum height of 12 mm (0.47 inches) for a proper shipping name marked on a portable tank with a capacity of less than 3,785 L (1,000 gallons); 3. Revising 173.28(c)(1)(i) to allow for regulatory flexibility for cleaning metal drums for reuse and clarifying the existing cleaning standard; and 4. Allowing all waste materials to be managed in accordance with the lab pack exception and associated paragraphs in 173.12 irrespective of whether they meet the definition of a hazardous waste in 171.8. This final rule is effective December 28, 2020. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this final rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 28, 2020. Compliance with the amendments adopted in this final rule (with some exceptions) is required beginning November 26, 2021.

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PHMSA 11-25-2020 final rule misc 49CFR updates