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The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration finalizes rule to harmonize regulations with international standards [US]
- #Pollution
Compliance with the rule required by January 2016
These changes will harmonize the HMR with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions (ICAO TI) for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Model Regulations). PHMSA is authorizing voluntary compliance with the rule beginning January 1, 2015, and will require compliance with the rule beginning January 1, 2016.Ensuring the consistency of hazard classification, hazard communication & packaging requirements worldwide.
PHMSA’s final rule, published in the January 8, 2015 Federal Register, harmonizes the HMR with international standards for the transportation of dangerous goods. The three international standards that the PHMSA is harmonizing with the HMR are the IMDG Code, ICAO TI for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the UN Model Regulations. These changes have been implemented to ensure that hazard classification, hazard communication, and packaging requirements are consistent throughout the world. To harmonize the HMR with international standards, the PHMSA is:- updating references to the international regulations;
- revising the Hazardous Materials Table and list of marine pollutants; adding an exception for marine pollutants consistent with the UN Model Regulations, the IMDG Code, and the ICAO TI;
- adding minimum sizes for the OVERPACK and SALVAGE markings; revising vessel stowage codes;
- adding adsorbed gases to the HMR; and adding bags and boxes with a maximum net mass of 400 kg (882 pounds) or less to the definition of non-bulk packaging.