# NOVA Chemicals Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 04-0069  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2004-07-13

04-0069 response to NOVA Chemicals Corporation concerning 172.406.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

s. Departme
Transportatic
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Research and
Administratior
special Programs
JUL 13 2004
Mr. Kevin Duncan
Ref. No. 04-0069
Global Packaged and Export Leader
NOVA Chemicals Corporation
1000 Seventh Avenue S.W.
P.O. Box 2518, Station M
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 5C6
Dear Mr. Duncan:
This is in response to your April 28, 2004 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to labels. Specifically, your
inquiry concerns whether an identification number and a hazard warning label affixed to a
flexible intermediate bulk container are required by the HMR to face outwards (i.e., towards the
door) when loaded into an enclosed transport vehicle or freight container.
The HMR do not specifically address the visibility of package markings and labels when loaded
into an enclosed transport vehicle or freight container. However, placing packages in a transport
vehicle in a manner that makes it difficult for carrier personnel or enforcement personnel to
determine whether the package conforms to marking and labeling provisions may result in delays
or frustration of shipments.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
040069
172.406

<<<PAGE 2>>>

/28/04
12:03 FAX 403 750 3941
NOVACHEM M'F CALGARY
0001
Foster
& NOVA Chemicals
5112.406
1000 Seventh Avenue S. W., P.O. Box 2518, Station M
Labeling
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 5C6
Ph# 403-750-3882
04-0069
Fax 403-750-3941
28** April 2004
RE: Request for Interpretation HMR 49 CFR Parts 171-180
To Mr. Edward T Mazzullo
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
400 7" Street S.W.
U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)
Washington, D.C. 20590-001
Dear Ed:
I am writing to you to request a formal interpretation under HMR 49 Parts 171-180
Does the UN# and Triangle on the FIBC package need to be facing outwards when loaded on a
container that the labels would be visible on the packages. The truck and or container would still
truck or ocean container. In this I mean that when the doors are opened from the truck or
be correctly placarded. In a recent e mail to your department I received a voice mail from one of
packages facing outwards towards the doors on the van or container. We would like a formal
your representatives named Harry that it was not a requirement to have the labels on the
response so that we can maintain this on file and ensure we are in compliance. Due to the FIBC.
design we would like to load the bags in the containers or vans facing sideways and your formal
decision is required for us to proceed in this.
Thank yu for you consideration of this mater. A tax responss to me at 403-750-3041 sall bet
Best regards,
NOVA Chemicals Corporation
Global Packaged and Export Leader

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2004/040069.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `3ce8e8cab0bcee0a4c912d89ff48ee375c08d956f3c6142b90c4e675c92aa752`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T23:41:37.879Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-04-0069`

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