# R\+L Carriers — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 02-0103  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2002-07-03

02-0103 response to R+L Carriers concerning 172.203.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Special Programs
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
JUL 3
2002
Administration
Mr. Dana Probasco
Haz-Mat Specialist
Ref. No.: 02-0103
R+L Carriers
P.O. Box 271
Wilmington, OH 45177-0271
Dear Mr. Probasco:
This is in response to your March 26, 2002 letter regarding the appropriate placement of "Marine
Pollutant" and the chemical name of the Marine Pollutant on shipping papers under the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). In particular you asked for
clarification on where the wording "Marine Pollutant" and "Marine Pollution Component (MP
Component) should be located "in association with the basic description."
Section 172.203(I)(1) states that if the proper shipping name for a material which is a marine
pollutant does not identify by name the component which makes the material a marine pollutant,
the name of that component must appear in parentheses in association with the basic description.
In addition, as required in §172.203(1)(2) the words "Marine Pollutant" shall be entered in
association with the basic description for a material which is a marine pollutant. Examples of
acceptable shipping descriptions are:
Resin solution, 3, UN1866, PG III, Marine Pollutant (MP Component)
Resin solution (MP Component), 3, UN1866, PG III, Marine Pollutant
For you information, section 171.4 (c) states, that except when transported aboard vessel, the
requirements of this subchapter specific to marine pollutants do not apply to non-bulk packaging
transported by motor vehicles, rail cars or aircraft.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

RIL CARRIERS
RIL
GATOR:
PARAMOUNT
Transfer, Inc.
Freightways. Inc.
Motor Lines, Inc.
IRANSPORTATION
Relertora
§172.203(1)
Attention:
Haz-Mat Info Center
Shipping Papers
From:
Dana Probasco (Haz-Mat Specialist) Safety Department
02-0103
Phone:
(937) 382 - 1494
Fax:
(937) 382 - 2677
Date:
3/26/02
i -
--
Re:
-
Request for Letter of Interpretation regarding descriptions of Marine
Pollutant's on shipping papers.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am requesting a Letter of Interpretation regarding the placement of the word's
Marine Pollutant and the Chemical Name of the Marine Pollutant on shipping
papers.
The regulations 49CFR 172.203(I) is not clear regarding the "placement in
association with the basic description'.
Example:
Which would be correct?
Resin solution, 3, UN1866, PGI. Marine Pollutant (Vinyl Pollution 40%).
Resin solution, Marine Pollutant (VinyT Pollution 40%); *
3, UN1866, PGIII.
or
Resin solution, 3, UN1866, PGIII. (Vinyl Pollution 40%), Marine Pollutant.
Thank you,
Dana Probasco
Haz-Mat Specialist
"ONE CALL-ONE CARRIER"
P.O. Box 271
Corporate Headquarters
Wilmington, Ohio 45177-0271
www.gorlc.com
Overnight Service
800.543.5589
Is Our Business

<<<PAGE 3>>>

*%;
KRIL CARRIERSZ
TATOR E
PARANORNE
600 Gillam Rd. • Wilmington, OH 45177
PRESERTEU
FLAST CLASS
K 2062
70979231
V.S. D.O.T.
RSPA
OFFICE OF TRANSPURTAFIIN REGULA
SPECSALIST OF HAZARDOUS MATERI
400
SEVENTH ST., SW
WASHINFUN
D.C. 20590
AMIDEMA

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020103.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `bc660aca5788fa9c363cec6745d709d3a7526ca1add3e77c20c646141300d820`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-24T15:45:01.224Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-02-0103`

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