99-21074. Harmonization with the United Nations Recommendations, International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, and International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 44426-44428]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-21074]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Research and Special Programs Administration
    
    49 CFR Parts 172 and 173
    
    [Docket No. RSPA-98-4185 (HM-215C)]
    RIN 2137-AD15
    
    
    Harmonization with the United Nations Recommendations, 
    International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, and International Civil 
    Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions
    
    AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule; corrections and response to two petitions for 
    reconsideration.
    
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    SUMMARY: On March 5, 1999, RSPA published a final rule under Docket HM-
    215C that amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations to maintain 
    alignment with corresponding provisions of international standards. 
    Changes to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), 
    the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions 
    for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical 
    Instructions), and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport 
    of Dangerous Goods (UN Recommendations) necessitated amendments to 
    domestic regulations to provide consistency with international 
    transport requirements and to facilitate the transport of hazardous 
    materials in international commerce. This final rule makes certain 
    corrections to the March 5 final rule and responds to two petitions for 
    reconsideration.
    
    DATES: Effective Date: October 1, 1999.
        Delayed Compliance Date: October 1, 2000.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Richard, Assistant International 
    Standards Coordinator, telephone (202) 366-0656 or Joan McIntyre, 
    Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, telephone (202) 366-8553, 
    Research and Special Programs Administration, US Department of 
    Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Introduction
    
        On March 5, 1999, RSPA published a final rule under Docket HM-215C 
    (64 FR 10742) to maintain alignment with recent changes to 
    corresponding provisions in international standards. This final rule 
    corrects various errors and denies two petitions for reconsideration to 
    the March 5, 1999 final rule. A document correcting printing errors 
    appears elsewhere in today's edition of the Federal Register.
    
    II. Section-by-Section Review
    
    Section 172.101
    
        The Hazardous Materials Advisory Council (HMAC) petitioned RSPA to 
    replace the plus sign (``+'') with a different symbol for materials 
    classified on the basis of human experience. (The plus sign fixes the 
    proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group for a hazardous 
    material entry in the Hazardous Materials Table, regardless of the 
    actual hazard characteristics of the material.)
        HMAC stated:
    
        To distinguish between materials that are classified on the 
    basis of human experience and those that have been assigned a 
    particular classification and/or packing group for other reasons, 
    HMAC believes a different symbol, perhaps the pound (#) sign, would 
    be better suited for this purpose. There are important differences 
    in the ability of a shipper to reclassify dilute mixtures or 
    solutions of these substances. For example, as pointed out in the 
    preamble, a mixture or solution containing Epichlorohydrin, a 
    material classified by human experience, could have a different PSN 
    if the appropriate tests indicate it does not meet the corresponding 
    hazard class. However, for materials assigned the ``+'' symbol for 
    other reasons, Sec. 172.101(b)(1) requires the authorization of the 
    Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety to change the 
    PSN and hazard class.
    
        RSPA disagrees with the need to distinguish between materials that 
    are classed on the basis of human experience and those that have been 
    assigned a particular classification or packing group. First, any 
    material preceded by a plus sign can be classed differently and 
    assigned a different proper shipping name when in a solution or mixture 
    which justifies that different classification. Second, any material 
    preceded by a plus sign can be authorized by the Associate 
    Administrator to be reclassed and assigned a different proper shipping 
    name. Therefore, there is no apparent benefit for distinguishing 
    between those ``plus-marked'' materials that are classed on the basis 
    of human experience and those that are classed for other reasons, and 
    the petition for reconsideration is denied.
    
    The Hazardous Materials Table (HMT).
    
        For the entries ``Aviation regulated liquid, n.o.s.'' and 
    ``Aviation regulated solid, n.o.s.,'' the ``A'' was mistakenly omitted 
    in the NPRM and the final rule and is reinstated in this document.
        The entries ``Compounds, tree killing, liquid or Compounds, weed 
    killing, liquid,'' NA1760 and NA1993 were amended by adding a ``G'' in 
    Column (1) of the HMT to identify the entries as requiring a technical 
    name in parentheses and in association with the basic description. 
    However, the entry ``Compounds, tree killing, liquid or Compounds, weed 
    killing, liquid,'' NA2810 was mistakenly omitted in the NPRM and the 
    final rule. RSPA is reinserting that entry and adding the letter ``G'' 
    in this final rule.
        The entries ``Hydrocarbon gas mixture, compressed, n.o.s.'' and 
    ``Hydrocarbon gas mixture, liquefied, n.o.s.'' are corrected by 
    removing the letter ``G'' from Column (1). These two entries were 
    listed correctly in the NPRM (63 FR 44312), as not requiring a 
    technical name; however, in the final rule the letter ``G'' was 
    mistakenly added.
    
    Section 172.101 Appendix B to Sec. 172.101--List of Marine Pollutants
    
        For the entry ``normal-heptaldehyde,'' RSPA proposed to remove the 
    severe marine pollutant designation (``PP''). Due to a typographical 
    error, this entry was misspelled and printed twice, one with the ``PP'' 
    designation and one without. This final rule removes the entries and 
    replaces them with ``n-Heptaldehyde.''
    
    [[Page 44427]]
    
    Section 172.203
    
        RSPA is removing paragraphs (k)(1) and (m)(2), which require n.o.s. 
    descriptions to be supplemented with the technical name. The final rule 
    adopted the letter ``G'' in Column (1) of the HMT to identify generic 
    and n.o.s. entries that must be supplemented with a technical name. 
    Therefore, these paragraphs are no longer necessary. In addition, RSPA 
    is adding a sentence to paragraph (k) introductory text to alert 
    readers about the letter ``G'' designator in Column (1) of the HMT. 
    With the removal of paragraph (k)(1), paragraphs (k)(2) and (k)(3) are 
    redesignated as paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(2), respectively. With the 
    removal of paragraph (m)(2), paragraph (m)(3) is redesignated as 
    paragraph (m)(2).
    
    Section 172.504
    
        Although the wording in the regulatory text is correct in the March 
    5, 1999 final rule, RSPA notes that the preamble discussion mistakenly 
    included the words ``or adjacent to the POISON label.''
    
    Section 173.28
    
        Certain existing text, which was omitted in the final rule and 
    resulted in the unintentional removal of an exception, is reinstated in 
    this final rule. The exception provides that replacing a removable 
    gasket or closure device on a UN 1H1 plastic drum with one of the same 
    design and material providing equivalent performance does not 
    constitute reconditioning.
    
    Section 173.32c
    
        Due to a typographical error in paragraph (j), the word ``not'' was 
    inadvertently omitted from the first sentence concerning the filling 
    restriction and is added in this document. The intent of this 
    prohibition was clearly indicated in the preamble of the final rule.
    
    Section 173.222
    
        In introductory paragraph (c) and paragraph (c)(4), an incorrect 
    limitation of this requirement to transportation by aircraft is 
    removed. The requirement applies to all modes of transportation.
    
    Section 178.603
    
        RSPA received a petition for reconsideration from the Conference on 
    Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles, Inc. (COSTHA) requesting an 
    amendment to Sec. 178.603(f)(5) concerning the drop test criteria. 
    COSTHA expressed concern that the requirements for combination 
    packagings are more stringent than those for drums, jerricans and bags. 
    COSTHA's request is beyond the scope of this rulemaking and will be 
    considered in a separate rulemaking.
    
    III. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
    
    A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
    
        This final rule is not considered a significant regulatory action 
    under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, was not 
    reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. The rule is not 
    considered a significant rule under the Regulatory Policies and 
    Procedures of the Department of Transportation (44 FR 11034).
    
    B. Executive Order 12612
    
        This final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles 
    and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 (``Federalism''). 
    Federal hazardous materials transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5701-5127, 
    contains an express preemption provision (49 U.S.C. 5125(b)) that 
    preempts State, local, and Indian tribe requirements on certain covered 
    subjects. Covered subjects are:
        (i) The designation, description, and classification of hazardous 
    material;
        (ii) The packing, repacking, handling, labeling, marking, and 
    placarding of hazardous material;
        (iii) The preparation, execution, and use of shipping documents 
    related to hazardous material and requirements related to the number, 
    contents, and placement of those documents;
        (iv) The written notification, recording, and reporting of the 
    unintentional release in transportation of hazardous material; or
        (v) The design, manufacturing, fabricating, marking, maintenance, 
    reconditioning, repairing, or testing of a packaging or container 
    represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in 
    transporting hazardous material.
        This final rule addresses covered subjects under items i, ii, iii 
    and v above and, adopted as final, would preempt State, local, or 
    Indian tribe requirements not meeting the ``substantively the same'' 
    standard. Federal hazardous materials transportation law provides at 
    Sec. 5125(b)(2) that if DOT issues a regulation concerning any of the 
    covered subjects DOT must determine and publish in the Federal Register 
    the effective date of Federal preemption. The effective date may not be 
    earlier than the 90th day following the date of issuance of the final 
    rule and not later than two years after the date of issuance. RSPA has 
    determined that the effective date of Federal preemption for these 
    requirements is February 14, 2000. Thus, RSPA lacks discretion in this 
    area, and preparation of a federalism assessment is not warranted.
    
    C. Executive Order 13084
    
        This final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles 
    and criteria contained in Executive Order 13084 (``Consultation and 
    Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments''). Because this final rule 
    does not significantly or uniquely affect the Indian tribal 
    communities, the funding and consultation requirements of the Executive 
    Order do not apply.
    
    D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        This final rule corrects certain provisions incorporated into the 
    Hazardous Materials Regulations based on changes introduced in the 
    tenth revised edition of the UN Recommendations, the 1997-98 ICAO 
    Technical Instructions, and Amendment 29 to the IMDG Code (Docket HM-
    215C, 64 FR 10742). (The ICAO Technical Instructions and the IMDG Code 
    were updated in a final rule, published October 29, 1998 (Docket HM-
    215C; 63 FR 44312).) This final rule applies to offerors and carriers 
    of hazardous materials and will facilitate the transportation of 
    hazardous materials in international commerce by providing consistency 
    with international requirements. The costs associated with this final 
    rule are considered to be so minimal as to not warrant preparation of a 
    regulatory impact analysis or regulatory evaluation. Therefore, I 
    certify that this final rule will not have a significant economic 
    impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    
    E. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The requirements for information collection have been approved by 
    the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control numbers 
    2137-0034 for shipping papers and 2137-0557 for approvals. Under the 
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no person is required to respond to a 
    collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control 
    number.
    
    F. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)
    
        A regulation identifier number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory 
    action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The 
    Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in 
    April and October of each year. The RIN number contained in the heading 
    of this document can be used to cross-reference this action with the 
    Unified Agenda.
    
    [[Page 44428]]
    
    G. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    
        This final rule does not impose unfunded mandates under the 
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. It does not result in costs of 
    $100 million or more to either State, local or tribal governments, in 
    the aggregate, or to the private sector, and is the least burdensome 
    alternative that achieves the objective of the rule.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    49 CFR Part 172
    
        Education, Hazardous materials transportation, Hazardous waste, 
    Labeling, Markings, Packaging and containers, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements.
    
    49 CFR Part 173
    
        Hazardous materials transportation, Packaging and containers, 
    Radioactive materials, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
    Uranium.
    
        In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR Chapter I is amended as 
    follows:
    
    PART 172--HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TABLE, SPECIAL PROVISIONS, HAZARDOUS 
    MATERIALS COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION, AND 
    TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
    
        1. The authority citation for part 172 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5127; 49 CFR 1.53.
    
    
    Sec. 172.101  [Amended]
    
        2. In the Sec. 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table, in Column (1), as 
    amended at 64 FR 10753 effective October 1, 1999, the following changes 
    are made:
        a. In Column (1), for the entries ``Aviation regulated liquid, 
    n.o.s.'' and ``Aviation regulated solid, n.o.s.'', the letter ``A'' is 
    added in alphabetical order.
        b. In Column (1), for the entry, ``Compounds, tree killing, liquid 
    or Compounds, weed killing, liquid'' (NA2810), the letter ``G'' is 
    added in alphabetical order.
        c. For the entries ``Hydrocarbon gas mixture, compressed, n.o.s.'' 
    and ``Hydrocarbon gas mixture, liquefied, n.o.s.'', the letter ``G'' is 
    removed each place it appears.
        3. In Appendix B to Sec. 172.101, the List of Marine Pollutants is 
    amended by removing two entries and adding one entry in alphabetical 
    order to read as follows:
    
             Appendix B to Sec.  172.101--List of Marine Pollutants
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    S.M.P.  (1)                     Marine pollutant  (2)
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    [REMOVE:]
      PP......................................  normal-Heptyl aldehyde.
                                                normal-heptaldehyde.
    [ADD:]
     
                             *      *      *      *      *
                                                n-Heptaldehyde.
     
                             *      *      *      *      *
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        4. In Sec. 172.203, in paragraph (k) introductory text, a new 
    sentence is added at the end to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 172.203  Additional description requirements.
    
    * * * * *
        (k) * * * Shipping descriptions for toxic materials that meet the 
    criteria of Division 6.1, PG I or II (as specified in Sec. 173.132(a) 
    of this subchapter) or Division 2.3 (as specified in Sec. 173.115(c) of 
    this subchapter) and are identified by the letter ``G'' in Column (1) 
    of the Sec. 172.101 Table, must have the technical name of the toxic 
    constituent entered in parentheses in association with the basic 
    description.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 172.203  [Amended]
    
        5. In addition, in Sec. 172.203 as amended at 64 FR 10775 effective 
    October 1, 1999, the following changes are made:
        a. Paragraph (k)(1) is removed.
        b. Paragraphs (k)(2) and (k)(3) are redesignated as paragraphs 
    (k)(1) and (k)(2), respectively.
        c. Paragraph (m)(2) is removed.
        d. Paragraph (m)(3) is redesignated as paragraph (m)(2).
    
    PART 173--SHIPPERS--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND 
    PACKAGINGS
    
        6. The authority citation for part 173 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5127, 44701; 49 CFR 1.45, 1.53.
    
        7. In Sec. 173.28, in paragraph (c)(2)(iii), as revised at 64 FR 
    10776 effective October 1, 1999, ``; and'' is removed at the end of the 
    sentence and a period is added in their place and a new sentence is 
    added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 173.28  Reuse, reconditioning and remanufacture of packagings.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (2) * * *
        (iii) * * * (For a UN 1H1 plastic drum, replacing a removable 
    gasket or closure device with another of the same design and material 
    that provides equivalent performance does not constitute 
    reconditioning); and
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 173.28  [Amended]
    
        8. In addition, in Sec. 173.28, in paragraph (c)(2) introductory 
    text, as revised at 64 FR 10776 effective October 1, 1999, the wording 
    ``or a UN 1H1 plastic drum'' is added immediately following the words 
    ``other than a metal drum'.
    
    
    Sec. 173.32c  [Amended]
    
        9. In Sec. 173.32c, in paragraph (j), as revised at 64 FR 10777 
    effective October 1, 1999, in the first sentence, the wording ``may be 
    loaded to'' is removed and the words ``may not be loaded to'' are added 
    in its place.
    
    
    Sec. 173.222  [Amended]
    
        10. In Sec. 173.222, as revised at 64 FR 10779 effective October 1, 
    1999, the following changes are made:
        a. In paragraph (c) introductory text, the wording ``For 
    transportation by aircraft, the'' is removed and ``The'' is added in 
    its place.
        b. In paragraph (c)(4), the wording ``and is offered for 
    transportation by aircraft'' is removed.
    
        Issued in Washington, DC, on August 9, 1999, under authority 
    delegated in 49 CFR part 1.
    Kelley S. Coyner,
    Administrator.
    [FR Doc. 99-21074 Filed 8-13-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
08/16/1999
Department:
Research and Special Programs Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; corrections and response to two petitions for reconsideration.
Document Number:
99-21074
Pages:
44426-44428 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. RSPA-98-4185 (HM-215C)
RINs:
2137-AD15: 1998 Harmonization of Hazardous Materials Regulations with International Standards
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2137-AD15/1998-harmonization-of-hazardous-materials-regulations-with-international-standards
PDF File:
99-21074.pdf
CFR: (5)
49 CFR 172.101
49 CFR 172.203
49 CFR 173.28
49 CFR 173.222
49 CFR 173.32c