# Cosmo International Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 03-0267  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2003-12-12

03-0267 response to Cosmo International Corporation concerning 173.140.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

-
of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administratior
DEC 12 2003
Ms. Patricia M. Sobel
Regulatory Affairs
Ref. No. 03-0267
501 Fairway Drive
Cosmo International Corporation
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
Dear Ms. Sobel:
This responds to your October 23, 2003, letter requesting clarification on whether your fragrance oils
are regulated under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Specifically, you request clarification on whether your fragrance oils meet the Class 9 hazard class
defining criteria in Part 173 of the HMR.
According to your letter, you manufacture and ship fragrance oils that are raw materials for perfumery
products. Your fragrance oils can be readily identified by their characteristic odor and the description
on the label. You further state that the odor would not cause extreme annoyance to the flight crew
since none of your materials has anesthetic or noxious properties. Under § 173.22, it is the shipper's
responsibility to properly class and describe a hazardous material for shipment. However, based on the
information provided in your letter, it is the opinion of this Office that your fragrance oils do not meet
the Class 9 defining criteria in Part 173. Provided your materials are not a flammable liquid, hazardous
substance, hazardous waste, or marine pollutant, they are not subject to the HMR.
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Susan Gorsky
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173,140
030267

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Boothe
$173. 140
Definitions
cosmo international corp.
03-0267
October 23, 2003
Mr. Edward Macculao
USDOT-RSPA (DHM-10)
Director of Office of Hazardous Materials Standard
400 7*. Street S.W.
Washington DC, Washington 20590
Re.: Letter of Clarification
Dear Mr. Macculao:
We kindly request a letter of clarification for CFR 49, Part 173.140 Class 9 - Definition.
We manufacture and ship fragrance oils which are considered raw materials for perfumery
synthetic. Although most of our products are not flammable, all materials are packed on UN
products. Our fragrances consist of a blend of various odoriferous substances, both natural and
approved drums protected by a fibreboard box.
description on the label. The odor should not cause any extreme annoyance to the flight crew
Should an spill occur, our fragrances can be identified by their characterisic odor and by the
members because none of our materials have an anesthetic or noxious properties.
If you need additional information to issue the letter of clarification, please let me know.
est regards,
Regulatory Affairs
Patrícia M. Sobel
Tel.: (954)798-4556
cc. Amy Winter - Fragrance Operation Manager
Juan Antillon - General Manager
601 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Telephone: (954)798-4500 - Fax: (954)798-4510

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030267.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `1378f59824979a9beec879f8e6d582d187e44c5c141e5cbdd3357e110cd93389`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T22:07:39.935Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-03-0267`

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