# VEGA Americas, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 14-0109 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2014-08-21 14-0109 response to VEGA Americas, Inc. concerning 172.406. ## Document text <<>> of Transportation U.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Materials Safety Pipeline and Hazardous Administration AUG 2 1 2014 Mr. John F. Birch Radiation Safety Program Specialist VEGA Americas, Inc: 4141 Rosslyn Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 45209 Reference No. 14-0109 Dear Mr. Birch: This is in response to your June 3, 2014 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to labeling requirements. Specifically, you ask whether the three parts of § 172.406(b) must all be met in order to use the exception for label size. The exceptions for § 172.406(b) are as follows: (1) a package that contains no radioactive material and which has dimensions less than those of the required label; (2) a cylinder; and (3) a package which has such an irregular surface that a label cannot be satisfactorily affixed The answer is no. Section 172.406(b) allows for exceptions to the labeling requirements in § 172.406. While typically the use of the word "and" in the HMR indicates all requirements must be met, that is not the situation of § 172.406(b). In order to use the exception found in § 172.406(b), one must meet only one of the criteria. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) may consider clarifying this requirement in a future rulemaking. I hope this satisfies your request. Sincerely, T. Glenn Foster Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> Looking Forward VEGA Americas, Inc. [ toll ] 800. FOR.LEVEL 4241 Allendorf Drive [tel] 513.272.0131 Cincinnati, OH 45209 USA [fax] 513.272.0133 www.vega-americas.com americas@vega.com Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Andrews Attn: PHH-10, U.S. Department of Transportation, $172.406 (b) East Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001 _abelino 14-0700 I am writing to request clarification with regard to 49 CFR 172.406(b), which states: (b) Exceptions. A label may be printed on or placed on a securely affixed tag, or may be affixed by other suitable means to: (1) A package that contains no radioactive material and which has dimensions less than those of the required label; (2) A cylinder; and (3) A package which has such an irregular surface that a label cannot be satisfactorily affixed. More specifically I would like to know whether the three exceptions are separate and stand alone. The way some in our organization read this list of exceptions is that the first exception applies to containers that are empty of radioactive materials and are smaller than the dimensions of the required labels, the second exception applies to cylinders regardless of whether they are empty of radioactive materials, and the third exception applies to containers with surfaces too irregular for the required labels regardless of whether they are empty of radioactive materials. Others in our organization read this list to mean that the second and third exceptions are tied to the first. This would mean to them that the first exception is for containers too small for the required labels and empty of radioactive materials, the second exception is for cylinders empty of radioactive materials, and the third exception is for containers with surfaces too irregular for the required labels and empty of radioactive materials. Clarification with regard to this list of exceptions in the regulations would be very much appreciated as it will enable our organization (manufacturer of fixed nuclear gauges) to streamline our shipping procedures. Thank you for your consideration and review of this issue. Sincerely, John F. Birch 513-72-42270 4529) j.birch@vega.com <<>> Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) : Sent: From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Subject: To: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 4:34 PM Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) Attachments: request for interpretation on 49 CFR 172.406(b).docx FW: request for clarification Hi Carolyn, This caller requested we submit this e-mail as a formal letter of interpretation. Thanks, Victoria From: Birch, John [mailto:j.birch@vega.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 8:39 AM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Subject: request for clarification Please find my attached letter (MS Word format) regarding clarification concerning exceptions for placing labels on shipments of Class 7 material. Sincerely, John F. Birch John F. Birch Radiation Safety Program Specialist 4141 Rosslyn Dr. VEGA Americas, Inc. Phone: 513-272-4222 Cincinnati, Ohio 45209 Email: i.birch@vega.com <<>> HMS 7 15 14 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION CENTER (800) HMR49-22 2023064814 local Fax 202-366-3753 infocntr@dot.gov FAX-ON-DEMAND (800) 467-4922X2 Jaime Espinoza Senior Policy Advisor 202-366-9608 Colleen Abbenhaus Supv. Compliance Investigator Wester Ragion, 909937-3279 1 Fax 90-3905142 Sean Lynum, Director Kameron wara, Cheri estigatior Vacant, Sr. Investigatior William Arrington, Investigator Aprily ampia, investigator Rene Silva, Investigator Patrick Lease, Investigator Dale Lewis, Investigator Jack Whitley, HMSAT Southwest Region, PHH-45 Houston, TX 713-272-2820 / Fax 713-272-2821 Robert Strollo, Acting Director *Antwela Cato, Admin. Asst. Vacant, Chief Investigator Robert Strollo, Sr. Investigator Thomas Lynch, Investigator Alan Carson, Investigator David Smith, Investigator Dollie DeWalt, Investigator Shawn Daniels, Investigator Tay Rucker, Investigator Chevella Smith, Invesligator Felix Gonzalez, investigator Michael Roberts, HMSAT Southern Rogion, PHH-46 Atlanta, GA 404-832-1140 / Fax 404-832-1168 John Heneghan, Director *Janetta Whatley, Admin. Asst. Marc Nichols, Chief Investigator Vacant, Sr. Investigator Edward Rastetter, Investigator William Stevens, Investigator Bob Burns, Investigator Robert DiGiacomandrea, Investigator Ernest Quail, Investigator Kimberly TaiSee, Investigator Matt Ripley, Investigator Randy Dick, Invesligator Stu Streck, HMSAT DEPUTY ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FIELD OPERATIONS, PHH-3* William Schoonover 202-366-0656 FIELD SERVICES SUPPORT РHH-40 202-366-4700 Fax 202-366-7435 Rick Raksnis, Director *Tara Guido, Sr. Admin. Asst. ENFORCEMENT, PHH.41 Michael Donahue, Enforcement Officer LeAndrew Wilson, Investigative Analyst Jose Rufino, Co-Op Student Willie Gunter, Investigator FITNESS. PHH-47 Vacant, Acting Branch Chief Gail Twitty, invesligative Analyst Ben Smith, Investigator Vacant, Sr. Invesligative INVESTIGATOR QUALIFICATIONS, PHH-48 Vincent Mercadante, NFTO David Clark, Investigator Norm Winningham, Investigator James Widener, Investigative Analyst Eastern Region, PHH-42 West Trenton, NJ 609-989-2256 / Fax 609-989-2277 Marc Nichols, Acting Director *Carolyn Callaghan, Admin. Asst. Mitchell Brown, Chief Investigator Vacant, Sr. Investigator Anthony Lima, Sr. Investigator Vacant, Investigator Margaret Carson, Investigator Patrick Durkin, Investigator Katelin Maits, Investigator Andrew Cooke, Investigator Jessica Snyder, Investigator Anthony Murray HMSAT Contral Region, PHH-43 Des Plaines, IL 847-294-8580 / Fax 847-294-8590 Kipton Wills, Director *Angie Bend!, Admin Asst. Bob Clatterbuck, Chief Investigator Vacant, Sr. Investigator Vacant, Investigator Ted Turner, Investigator Terry Pollard, Investigator Mark Razny, Investigator Tiffany Ziemer, Investigator Timothy Buffum, Investigator Laura Kwilinski, Investigator Dan Richards, Investigator Shirley McNew, HMSAT Tonya Stevenson, Policy Advisor 202-366-0683 *Chanelle Dumas, Exec. Asst. 202-366-0656 *Darcia Stewart, E21-310 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT РHH-60 202-366-1074 Fax 202-366-3753 Ben Supko, Acting Director *Tanika Dyson, Executive Asst. Michael Burkhardt, Acting Bus. Arch. RISK, DATA & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, PHH-61 Kevin Leary, Acting Chief Gabriela Rohick, Economist Mark Johnson, Economist BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, PHH-62 Dell Sidbury, Chief *Chris Biggers, Executive Asst. Yolanda Braxton, Prog. Analyst Trainee Vacant, Admin. Officer Carolyn Strong, Accountant Frank Lisak, Prog. Support Asst. Maria Howard, Executive Asst. * Falma Hanafi, Executive Asst. E21-316 ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR РHH-1 Magdy El-Sibaie 202-366-0656 E23-304 OUTREACH, TRAINING AND GRANTS PHH-50 202-366-4900 Fax 202-366-7342 Aaron Mitchell, Director *Jasmin Clarke, Sr. Admin. Asst. OUTREACH AND TRAINING, Tom Kiddy, Chief Suzette Paes, Outreach Officer Vacant, Training Officer Ruben Ingram, T&/ Spec. Alex Armstrong, T&/ Spec. Jean Allen, T&/ Spec. Stephen Martinez T&/ Soec. Peter Heitzmann, Prog. Spec. GRANTS/REGISTRATION, PHH-52 202-366-1109 Fax 202-366-5713 Lisa O'Donnell. Acting Chief *Angel Henriquez, Sr. Admin.Asst. Vacant, Sr. Grants Spec. Shakira Mack, Program Analys! Andre White, Grants Spec. Carla Sheppard, Grants Spec. Lisa Reichenbacher, Grants Spec. Suezet Edwards, Prog. Spec. Flor Paz, Prog. Analyst Trainee DEPUTY ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR POLICY AND PROGRAMS, PHH-2 Ryan Posten 202-366-0656 E21-304 APPROVALS AND PERMITS РHH-30 202-366-4511 Fax 202-366-3308 Ryan Paquet, Director Arthur Pollack, Ops. Coordinator Michael Burkhardt, Ops. Coordinator Renee Coleman, Admin. Support Asst. GENERAL APPROVALS AND PERMITS, PHH-31 202-366-4535 Donald Burger, Chief Michelle Ford. Trans. Assistant Andrew Eckenrode, Trans. Spec. Diane LaValle, Sr. Trans. Spec. Kenny Herzog, Trans. Spec. Stacey Grey. Trans. Spec. Michael Nicks, Trans. Spec. Tony Gale, Trans. Spec. ENERGETIC MATERIALS, PHH-32 Vallary Maxey, Acling Chief Harpreet Singh, Chief Vacant, Trans Spec. Darral Relerford, Trans. Spec. PRESSURE 3564515, PHH-33 Duane Cassidy, Chief 202-385046 Fax202566-3753 *Barbara Alston E21-312 ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH PHH-20 202-366-4545 Fax 202-366-3650 Harpreet Singh, Acting Director Tiffany Fosselt, Sr. Admin Asst. Richard Boyle, Phys. Sci. Jim Williams, Hith. Physicist Michael Conroy, Phys. Sci. Andrea Dunham, Chemist ENGINEERING, PHH-22 Cheryl West Freeman, Chief Mark Toughiry, Mech. Engr. Stan Staniszewski, Mech. Engr. Brian Moore, Gen. Engr. Leonard Majors, Gen. Engr. Benjamin Moore, Gen. Engr Reassa Gen and Engr RESEARCH& DEVELOPMENT, PHH-23 Juane Pfund International Standards Coordinator 202-366-4471 J.s. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Website: hazmat.dot.gov STANDARDS AND RULEMAKING PHH-10 202-366-8553 Fax 202-366-7435 Charles Betts, Director Shantell Goodall, Sr. Admin. Sup. Ass!. Robert Benedict, Acting Sr. Reg Advisor Ben Supko, Sen Reg. Advisor Rebecca Broussard, Policy & Prog. Analyst STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT, PHH-11 Dirk Der Kinderen, Acting Chief Robert Bendict Chief Deborah Boothe, Trans. Reg. Spec. Dirk Der Kinderen, Trans. Reg. Spec. Lisa O'Donnell, Trans. Reg. Spec. Kevin Leary, Trans. Reg. Spec. Neal Suchak, Trans. Reg. Spec. Vacant, Trans. Reg. Spec. REGULATORY REVIEW AND REINVENTION, PHH-12 Glenn Foster, Chief Eileen Edmonson, Trans. Reg. Spec. Victoria Lehman, Trans. Reg. Spec. Alice Dodd, Acimin. Support Asst. STANDARDS, PHA: 13 Duane Pfund, Int Sid. Coord Std. Coord. Steve Webb, Int'i Std. Coord Aaron Wiener, int'i Std. Coord Pipeline and "Contract Staff ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `256f9c5d2ae54d16ebcca6153a89b9bc9aaa43539449b0f92ae79ffbfb28a654` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-23T14:02:40.322Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-14-0109` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "VEGA Americas, Inc." ], "individuals": [ "Mr. John F. 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