# Law Offices of F. Michael Friedman — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 98-0310  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1998-11-13

98-0310 response to Law Offices of F. Michael Friedman concerning 173.4.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

•
of Transportation
U.S.Department
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C
20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
NOV 13 1993
Mr. F. Michael Friedman
Law
Offices of F. Michael Friedman
Ref. No. 98-0310
Post Office Box 1000
Media,
Pennsylvania 19063-0790
Dear Mr. Friedman:
This is in response to your letter dated October 14, 1998 regarding
clarification of the small quantity exceptions in 49 CER 173.4, under
the Hazardous Materials Regulalions (HMR; 49 CER Parts 171-180).
Your questions are paraphrased and
answered as follows:
Q1.
language describing the performance requirements for acceptable
small quantity exceptions in 49 CFR 173.4 contain specific
packaging; does this mean that it is not necessary to use UN
standard packaging for materials offered for shipment under 49
CER 173.4, provided the materials meet these requirements?
Al. Your understanding is correct.
A material prepared in
accordance with the quantity limits and packaging requirements
in 49 CFR 173.4, is not subject to any other requirements of
the HMR, including UN standard packaging requirements.
Q2. Is there a periodic retest requirement for packages used fox
hazardous material shipments made in accordance with 49 CFR
173.4.
A2.
No. Only prototype testing of a packaging is required.
However, if the packaging is modified, a new prototype test
must be performed.
As provided in $ 173.4 (a) (6), each
completed packaging must be capable of passing the prescribed
tests.
I hope this
satisfies your inquiry.
Sincerely,
1. Ci
- Delmér FEBílTinaS
i Chief, Standards Development
• Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
-

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Engrum
LAW OFFICES OF
F. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN
§ 173.4
206 WEST STATE STREET
P. O. BOX 1000
98-0310
E. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN ••
MEDIA. PENNSYLVANIA 19063-0790
PENELOPE MILLER DAVIDOFF •
(610) 565-7444
ELECTRONIC MAIL TO:
mfriedm(@delcobar.org
TELEFAX
• MEMBER PENNSYLVANIA BAR ONL
SEMBER PENNSYLVANIA & NEW JERSEY BA
(610) 565-0938
October 14, 1998
Mr. Edward Mazzullo, Director
Office of Hazardous Materiai Standards
DHM 10
Research and Special Projects Administration
United States Department of Transportation
400 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20590-0001
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
I am writing on behalf of a client who desires clarification on two points.
49 C.F.R. Section 173.4 (Small Quantities Exemption) contains specific
language describing the performance requirements for acceptable packaging. As
such, it would appear that it is not necessary to use UN standard packaging for
materials offered for shipment under 173.4 provided the materials meet the
requirements of 173.4. Am I correct in this?
Second, am 1 correct that there is no requirement for periodic retesting of
C.F.R. Section 178.601 packages which meet a UN standard must be retested every
packages used for shipment made pursuant to §173.4. In other words, under 49
wo years if they are a composite package. By their nature packages under 173.4 ar
composite packages but it does not appear that they require bi-annual testing
provided there is no change in the components. Am I correct in this?
Thank you for your assistance.
Very truly yours,
F. Michael Friedman
FMF/bam

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980310.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `b9f28c32b814f1b130bea4e273bd2d6abd03b303655c3a44262eac0b21d31e82`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T23:04:38.803Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-98-0310`

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