The Journal of HazMat Transportation

Following HazMat Alert 2019-08 issued on February 28, 2019, yesterday the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published Interim Final Rule Hazardous Materials: Enhanced Safety Provisions for Lithium Batteries Transported by Aircraft (FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018) [Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0014 (HM-224I)] in the Federal Register. Sponsored in part by: Amerijet With publication, this interim final rule became effective on March 6, 2019. The Journal is reviewing the published document and will examine the industry response. More on this interim final rule will follow. View the IFR in the Federal Register. Comments may be submitted online through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Comments must be received by May 6, 2019.

Following HazMat Alert 2019-06 issued on February 21, 2019, today the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published Final Rule HM-251B in the Federal Register. This makes the Final Rule effective as of April 1, 2019, with voluntary compliance beginning February 28, 2019. Its delayed compliance date is August 27, 2019.

In a press release dated February 27, 2019, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced the pending publication of an Interim Final Rule (IFR) in the Federal Register: Hazardous Materials: Enhanced Safety Provisions for Lithium Batteries [Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0014 (HM-224I)].

Following to our report on the results of the 54th session of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, we are issuing our report on the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals' (UNSCEGHS) 36th session from December 5 to 7, 2018. This is the end of the biennium and the UNSCEGHS decisions will be incorporated in the 8th revised edition of the UN GHS Purple Book. Countries and regions will incorporate these changes into their GHS requirements as the requirements are updated. Links are provided to the papers referenced and the report is organized into the following content categories: Sponsored in part by: Industrial Pack Recommendations made by the Sub-Committee at its thirty-third, thirty-fourth, and thirty-fifth sessions Classification Criteria and Related Hazard Communication Hazard Communication Implementation of the GHS GHS Sub-Committee program of work for the 2019-2020 biennium Additional information

In an interpretation (18-0029) issued September 4, 2018, to the Railway Supply Institute, PHMSA addresses several questions concerning the application of the Hazardous Materials Regulations. The following are comments on the PHMSA interpretation from an industry perspective.