# Thompson, Hine & Flory L.L.P. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 99-0251 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2000-03-21 99-0251 response to Thompson, Hine & Flory L.L.P. concerning 173.120. ## Document text <<>> • U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 Research and Special Programs Administration MAR 2 | 2000 Norman J. Philion, Esq. Thompson, Hine & Flory L.L.P. Ref. No. 99-0251 1920 N. Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-1601 Dear Mr. Philion: This is in response to your August 31, 1999 letter regarding the use of recycled materials in packaging. Specifically, you address California's recent law requiring 25 percent post-consumer recycled resin in eight-ounce to five-gallon plastic containers from and the potential problems lubricant. faced by your client concerning the integrity of such packagings when shipping two-cycle Based on the information contained in your letter that the flash point of the two-cycle lubricant is 170°-200°F, it is properly classed as a Combustible Liquid, not as a Class 3 (Flammable) liquid. A combustible liquid that is not a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, or marine pollutant is not subject to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180) if packaged in non-bulk containers for highway transport. Accordingly, we recommend that documentation supporting your belief that packagings containing 25 percent post-consumer waste are insufficient to provide secure containment should be forwarded to the appropriate agency in the State of California. I hope this satisfies your request. Sincerely, Dim tallis Delmer F. Billings Chief, Standards Development Office of Hazardous Materials Standards HIMANI 990251 I240NT <<>> AUG 31 1999 16:07 FR THOMPSON, HINE, FLORY2Ø2 785 Ø012 TO *00119*843243000 P.02/07 THOMPSON HINE & FLORY LLP 99-025/ Attorneys at Law Telephone: August 31, 1999 Facsimile: 202/973-2705 202/331-8330 VIA FACSIMILE Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo Director Office of Standards Research and Special Programs Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street, SW Washington, DC 20590 Re: Letter Request to You from AR Packaging Corp, Dated August 12, 1999 Dear Mr. Mazzullo: This letter is written in support of the request submitted to you by Mr. Bruce C. Davidson, the Vice President of Marketing, AR Packaging Corp. by letter dated August 12, 1999. A copy of Mr. Davidson's letter is attached for your convenient reference. In that letter, Mr. Davidson describes the problem created by the law in California that now requires the use of 25 percent post-consumer recycled resin in plastic containers from eight (8) ounces to five (5) gallons. Experience has shown that compliance with the California statute results in plastic containers that are likely to leak when they are utilized for packaging a two-cycle lubricant such as used in lawn mowers. This fact has created a significant dilemma for our client, The Toro Company and its Lawn-Boy Subsidiary ("Toro". This dilemma has been recognized by officials in California who, as Mr. Davidson notes in his letter, have shown an interest in trying to find an appropriate solution and who, to this end, have requested that the Department of Transportation provide information to the California Waste Management Board concerning the Department's requirements for packaging of the kind used for the two-cycle lubricant. It is our hope such information will be used by the Califomia Waste Management Board to exempt manufacturers like AR and Toro from the requirement of the "25 percent recycle rule." Toro is in the business of manufacturing and distributing lawn mowers and other power equipment, and related equipment and supplies. The related supplies include a two-cycle lubricant which consumers purchase from Toro's distributors for use in their products. This two- cycle lubricant is identified in the Hazardous Materials Table (49 C.F.R. §172.101) as "Petroleum products, n.o.s., UN1268, Packaging Group III." The lubricants are a Class 3 material 1920 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-1601 202-331-8800 fax 331-8330 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM CINCINNATI CLEVELAND COLUMBUS DAYTON PALM BEACH WASHINGTON, D.C. <<>> AUG 31 1999 16:07 FR THOMPSON, HINE, FLORY202 785 0012 TO *Ø0119*043243000 P.03/07 HINE & FLORY LLP THOMPSON Mr. Edward I. Mazzullo Alturnrys at Low August 31, 1999 Page 2 (Flammable liquid). As Mr. Davidson points out in his letter, because the flash point of the two- cycle lubricant is 170°-200°F, it may be reclassed as a combustible liquid; and if it is so reclassed and packaged in non-bulk containers, the requirements of the hazardous materials regulations do not apply. §173.150(f)(1) and (2)' The two-cycle lubricant has been so reclassed, as Mr. Davidson notes. Nevertheless, the fact that the two-cycle lubricant has been reclassed as a combustible liquid does not eliminate the necd to maintain the integrity of the non-bulk packaging. For if such packaging is to serve its purpose of holding the lubricant in a non-bulk configuration, it must not leak. If the package does leak, the terms of the exception specified in §173.1.50(f) would apparently no longer be met (i.e. the lubricant, released to the environment, is no longer in a non-bulk package). It would appear from the foregoing that, although the exception in §173.150(f) is a jeopardized. The problem is how to define the requirement for such packaging if the commodity blanket exception, the integrity of the packaging is critical if the exception is not to be is otherwise exempt. It appears reasonable to conclude that the applicable standards are those generally set forth in $173.24. The requirements of 5173.24(b) are specified clearly and Each package used for the shipment of hazardous materials under this subchapter shall be designed, constructed, maintained, filled, its contents so limited, and closed, so that under conditions nor- mally incident to transportation-- (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, there will be no identifiable (without the use of instruments) release of hazardous materials to the environment; (2) The effectiveness of the package will not be substantially reduced; for example, impact resistance, strength, packaging compatibility, etc. must be main- tained for the minimum and maximum temperatures encountered during transportation.... If a plastic container conforming to the requirements of the California statute results in the release of the combustible liquid to the environment, then that packaging fails to meet the requirements of the foregoing provision and, by implication, the requirement for "non-bulk packaging" in $173.150(D)(2). Your Office's confirmation of this fact will help to modify the 'The two-cycle lubricant is not a hazardous substance, a hazardous waste, or a marine pollutant. Therefore, it properly falls within the terms of §173.150(Đ(1) and (2). -.. <<>> AUG 31 1999 16:07 FR THOMPSON, HINE, FLORY202 785 ØØ12 TO *Ø0119*043243000 P.04/07 HINE & FLORY LLP THOMPSON Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo Attorneys at Lato August 31, 1999 Page 3 position of the Califomia Waste Management Board. Another fact that supports the need for modification of Califomia's position is provided by $173.24(c). That subsection reads in relevant part: (c) Authorized packagings. A packaging is authorized for a hazardous material only if (1) The packaging is prescribed or permitted for the hazardous material in a packaging section specified for that material in Column 8 of the §172.101 Table.... Colin for combusile olio, no, a akading aka in ril res to 03g That hazardous materials. §173.203 in turn (and as relevant hereto) refers to the standards for plastic drums and jerricans in $178.509. As there specified: (b) Construction requirements for plastic drums and jerricans are as follows: (1) The packaging must be manufactured from suitable plastic material and be of adequate strength in relation to its capacity and intended use. No used material other than production residues or regrind from the same manu- facturing process may be used unless approved by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. (Emphasis added) Now, although it may be argued (1) that the plastic containers which hold the two-cycle lubricant are not, strictly speaking, drums or jerricans; and (2) that, in any event, neither §173.203 nor $178.509 are applicable to shipments covered by the exception in §173.150(f), nevertheless, the quoted requirement provides a reference from which it is possible to glean a recognized fact-- plastic containers used for the non-bulk transportation of materials such as a combustible liquid should conform to this standard to ensure package integrity. Put another way, the standard recognizes the kind of problem created by the use of recycled materials as implemented by the State of California. Moreover, as §178.509 goes on to state: "The packaging must be adequately resistant to aging and to degradation caused either by the substance contained or by ultra-violet radiation. Any permeation of the substance contained may not constitute a danger under normal conditions of transport." In the present case, the "permeation" does constitute a danger because the two-cycle lubricant is permitted to leak into the environment when the plastic is created to the formula mandated by the California statute. For the foregoing reasons, Toro respectfully requests that your Office provide a statement • <<>> AUG 31 1999 16:07 FR THOMPSON, HINE, FLORY202 785 0Ø12 TO *00119*843243000 P. 05/07 Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo Altoricy.ot Law August 31, 1999 Page 4 of the Department's position (as requested by Mr. Davidson) so that the Califomia requirement does not result in the kind of harm to the environment and to public safety that the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations are intended to avoid. To the extent that the analysis contained in this letter is of any help in this connection, you may use it as you wish. Finally, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely yours, Norman J. Philion CC: C. Joseph Newberg Bruce C. Davidson 92422 <<>> 08/27/1999 AUG 31 1999 15:87 FR THOMPSON, HINE, FLORY 2 7954012 TO *00119*843243008 P.86/07 14:41 4145493/11 BROOKFIELD. W1 53008-0666 P.O. BOX 456 AIR PACKAGING CORP. FAX 414-549-3711 411-569-1500 CUSTOM LUBRICANT FILLING ANO PACKAGING www.arpackaging.com August 12, 1999 Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo Director of the Office of Hazardous Materials Standards United States Department of Transportation (DHM - 10) 400 7ª Street SW Washington DC, 20590-0001 - Dear Mr. Mazzullo; I am writing to request your Department's input regarding a packaging law in the State of Califomia that cancema our company and the cllents we do business with. Specifically, our company packages two-cycle engine oils for original equipment manufacturers. These two-cycle engine olls have flash points of approximately 170-200 lubricants in their bulk form, but they are currently exempt from HM regulations in non-bulk packing. Typically these oils are packaged In polyethylene containers or bottles for consumer use. Califomia has recently passed regulations requiring the use of 25% post consumer resin (or recycled plastic) in all plasüc contalners to encourage plasties recycling in that state. While our packaging experience with 100% virgin polyethylene contalners and two-cycle lubricants has been very positive, our experience with two-cycle engine olls in containers that have been made with recycled plastic has been negative due to the increased stress cracking that adding additional plastic to the bottle. This option defeats the purposa of the California law. the primary purpose of which Is to reduce plastic that will eventually ond up in Califomia trash. The California law requiring 25% post consumer resin in plastic bottles does provide exemptions for DOT regulated materials. Further, Califomia Waste Management officials, recognizing, our dilemma, have been sympathetic to our concems regarding the use of the 25% post consumer resin and have suggested that we contact the Department of Providing Solutions for your Packaging Noeds ALG 27 • 99 14:41 4145493711 •. PAGE. B02 <<>> AUG 31 - 1999 16:03. Z.ER. THOMPSON, HINE, FLORY202 785 0012 TO *00119*843243000 P.07/07 am requesting that the Department of Transportation provide input to the State of Califomi supporting our stance that packaging two-cycle lubricants in bottles that are more prone to stress cracking is not in the best interests of the consuming public. Your prompt input on this Issue will be very much appreciated. The Calloria Waste Management Board is currently reviewing this matter and your Input at this time would be most timely. A decision from the board is anticipated in the next two to three weeks. Our contact at the Califoria Integrated Waste Management Board, Department of Environmental Profection is Mr. John Nuffer. Mr. Nuffers address is 8800 Cai Center Drive, for further background on this issue. I look forward to hearing from your department. Sacramento CA 95826. His phone number is 918-255-2437. Please feel free to contact me Sincerely: Rice Pre, Dant - Marketing • • . - - ALG 27^99 14:41 4145493711 • PAGE. 68S ** TOTAL PAGE.009** ** TOTAL PAGE.Ø7 ** - ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `c8977dbeb1c4ea4a96285806c987d2fe73b804178ed9d4496d21c2a34d413831` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-22T13:55:27.708Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-99-0251` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "Thompson, Hine & Flory L.L.P." ], "individuals": [ "Norman J. 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