# PTP Consulting, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 05-0226  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2005-11-08

05-0226 response to PTP Consulting, Inc. concerning 173.12.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

f Transportatio
.S. Depanmer
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration
NOV 8 2005
Ms. Carol Brozosky
Ref. No. 05-0226
PTP Consulting, Inc.
1531 Kings Highway
Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Dear Ms. Brozosky:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials
24-hour holding time requirement for the reuse of packagings for the shipment of
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) regarding § 173.12(c), which establishes a
hazardous wastes. You ask whether the requirement applies to both non-bulk and bulk
packagings.
Section 173.12(c) applies to non-bulk packagings only. With respect to bulk packagings,
§ 173.24 addresses the responsibility of the person offering a hazardous material for
transportation, including ensuring that bulk packagings, as well as non-bulk packagings,
do not leak; are compatible with the lading; and have no significant chemical or galvanic
reaction between the materials and the contents of the packages. Further, § 173.24b'
requirements specific to portable tanks; and § 173.33 contains additional requirements
contains additional requirements for bulk packagings; § 173.32 contains additional
specific to cargo tank motor vehicles.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact this office if you have additional
questions.
Sincerely,
Hottak Metho
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.12(c)
050226

<<<PAGE 2>>>

•
09/14/2005 08:23
8564679643
PAGE 01
pte
ogress Traugh Performan
ONSULTING, INK
856-467-5400 • Fax: 856-467-9643 • url: http://ehsprogress.com • info@ehsprogress.com
PTP Consulting, Inc. • 1531 Kings Highway • Swedesboro, NJ 08085
September 13, 2005
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
US DOT/ RSPA (DHM-10)
M'Intyre
400 7' St., S. W.
$/13.12 (c)
Washington, DC 20590-0001
FAX: 202-366-3012
Reuse Packaging
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
05-0226
PTP Consulting has been requested to assist with a regulatory issuc applicable to transporting hazardous waste in a
highway tanker, which was loaded from approximately one hundred 55-gallon drums of various wastestreams -
presumably compatible with each other.
My question is twofold:
First, we are seeking an interpretation under 49 §CFR 173.12 (c), where it describes conditions for the reuse of a
packaging for the pupose of shipping a waste material. In 49 §CFR 173.12 (c), it explains that a previously used
packaging - not subject to reuse or reconditioning provisions - may be used under five listed conditions within the
same paragraph. Condition 3 discusses the requirement that the packaging shall not be offered for transportation
less than 24 hours after it is finally closed for transportation, and is inspected for leakage and is found to be free
from leaks immediately prior to being offered for transportation.
Does the definition of a packaging extend to a bulk container, or more specifically, a highway tanker? When I track
the dcfinition of a "packaging", and consequently the definition of a "receptaole" in part 171.8, it is does not indicate
that this means non-bulk only. If it does not pertain to a bulk containment system, could you explain why?
Second, I would presume that this 24 hour holding period in the above regulatory citation is to ensure that the
packaging will not fail due to leaks or incompatibility issues. If tankers are not subject to this 24 hour holding
period, is there any regulatory requirement that would require a shipper to ensure the tanker will not have problems
for the same reasons, whether it is due to leaking, or due to a chemical reaction, or due to an incompatibility issuc?
I most sincerely appreciate your prompt attention to this matter, and look forward to your response.
Sincercly,
PTP Consulting, Inc.
Carla frandy
President
Carol Brozosky, CET, CHMM

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050226.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `771be2dca1b93aaffc022702b440189657c6e01e7d81ad47d734393522f684b5`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T14:01:30.474Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-05-0226`

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