# Benjamin Moore & Co. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 09-0257  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2009-12-03

09-0257 response to Benjamin Moore & Co. concerning 172.303.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington. D,C. 20590
DEC 3 2009
Mr. Prokopis Christou, PE, CHMM
Corporate Environmental, Health & Safety Department
Benjamin Moore & Co.
360 Route 206
Flanders, NJ 07836
Ref. No. 09-0257
Dear Mr. Christou:
This responds to your October 29,2009 request for clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask ifpackaging
marked with Special Permit Numbers DOT SP 12749 and DOT SP 13052 pertaining to
UN 11 G fiberboard intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) may be used to transport nonhazardous
materials.
The answer is yes. The prohibited marking requirements in § 172.303 of the HMR do not
require removal or obliteration ofthe special permit number from the packaging, even
when the packaging is not being used under the terms of the special permit. However, in
order to minimize confusion or frustration ofthe shipment, you may wish to cover or
obliterate the special permit number markings when the packaging is not being used
under the terms ofthe special permit.
I hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, do not hesitate to
contact this Office.
Sincerely,
~~bd/2#
Charles E. Betts
Chief, Standards Development
Ice of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Page 1 of1
From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Sent: Thursday, October 29,20099:30 AM
To: Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
Subject: FW: Use of packages with DOT Special Permit numbers for not regulated materials.
From: Christou, Prokopis [mailto:Prokopis.Christou@Benjaminmoore.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28,20094:33 PM
To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Subject: Use of packages with DOT Special Permit numbers for not regulated materials.
Hi.
We would like a written an interpretation regarding the use of packaging that is marked with a Special Permit
numbers DOT SP 12749 and DOT SP 13052 for use with not regulated materials. These special permits pertain
to UN 11 G fiberboard intermediate bulk container (IBC).
Do the hazardous material regulations (HMR) prohibit the use of the IBC in question bearing the DOT special
permit numbers for use and shipment of materials that are not regulated as hazardous materials?
Do the HMR require the obliteration of the Special Permit numbers on the IBC if it is used to ship materials that
are not regulated as hazardous materials.
Thanks in advance for your help
Best regards,
...~
Prokopis Christou, PE, CHMM
Corporate Environmental, Health & Safety Department
Benjamin Moore & Co,
360 Route 206
Flanders, NJ 07836
Tel. 973-252-2654
10/29/2009

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2009/090257.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `d3eb37d719513c1fc339b198f2071d3bc39dc7399ce701dea1c5228a9853ca46`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T22:16:00.368Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-09-0257`

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