The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently announced a final rule that improves safety, streamlines the transport of essential products, and encourages shippers to package goods more efficiently.
The rule harmonizes federal regulations with international standards.
“This regulatory update actually improves safety and environmental benefits while reducing red tape for businesses,” PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown said.
Under the rule, shippers will be permitted to transport more goods in fewer trips, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also aligns hazardous materials regulations requirements and eliminates the need for American companies to either comply with different or conflicting requirements or forgo exporting internationally.
Amendments were included to facilitate the transport of hazardous materials in domestic and international commerce and address air transport quantity limitations, changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packaging authorizations, packing groups, special provisions, and vessel stowage requirements.
“The safe transportation of hazardous material like batteries and components used in manufacturing is integral to our supply chains and our economy,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “This new rule improves safety, keeps the U.S. competitive on the global stage, and cuts shipping costs to the benefit of consumers nationwide.”
The rule was created in anticipation of forecasted increases in the volume of lithium batteries transported because of the electrification of multiple sectors.