On July 11 2014, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), issued a final rule amending regulations concerning the transportation of Class 7 (radioactive) materials. The revision synchronizes the requirements set forth in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) governing the transportation of Class 7 (radioactive) materials with the international standard set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its 2009 publication, “Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2009 Edition, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. TS-R-1” (TS-R-1). This includes adopting the new TS-R-1 requirement for marking all overpacks of Class 7 (radioactive) packages with “OVERPACK” and updating definitions to align with TS-R-1.
The amendment also serves to update, clarify, correct and provide relief from certain regulatory requirements applicable to Class 7 (radioactive) materials. The revisions are designed to ensure that the classification, packaging, and hazard communication requirements provide the requisite level of safety and are consistent with international standards.
PHMSA noted that harmonization of domestic and international standards makes compliance simpler, resulting in enhanced safety, and also facilitates international trade. Additionally, harmonization with international standards has become more important as the volume of international commerce involving hazardous materials has grown.
The amendment is effective October 1, 2014. PHMSA authorized voluntary compliance as of July 11, 2014.
The final rule can be found here.
For more information regarding the rule, please contact Glenn Wicks,Ronce Almond, or Arielle Pacer at (202) 457-7790.