{"operation":"document","citation":"00-0141","title":"Merichern Company Research Center — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2000-06-28","effective_on":null,"summary":"00-0141 response to Merichern Company Research Center concerning 173.6.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0141.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0141.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0141","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000141.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nWashington, D.C.\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\n20590\nResearch and\nAdministratior\npecial Program:\nJUN 2 8 2000\nMr. Leo N. Richard Jr.\nRef. No: 00-0141\nChemical Hygiene Supervisor\nMerichem Company Research Center\n1503 Central\nHouston, Texas 77012-2797\nDear Mr. Richard:\nThis is in response to your letter of May 2, 2000, requesting clarification on the requirements for\nMaterials of Trade (MOTs) under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-\n180). You provide the following scenario and ask whether the MOTs exception may be applied.\nFrom time to time \"samples\" must be transported to an independent analytical\nlaboratory for various analyses. Could a Merichem Research Center employee\ntransport the samples to the laboratory? After analyses are completed, could a\nMerichem employee transport the samples back to the Merichem Research Center?\nAll requirements in § 173.6 are met.\nThe answer is yes. A Merichem Research Center employee may transport samples to and from a\nlaboratory in direct support of their business when in private carriage.\nI hope this information is helpful.\nSincerely,\nDuhan Hills\nDelmer F. Billings\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n1736\n000141\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nMERICHEM COMPANY\nResearch Center\n1503 CENTRAL • HoUsToN, TExas 77012-2797\n(713) 928-5961 • FAx (713) 928-5762\nlavalle\nMay 2, 2000\n$173.6\nMr. Edward T. Mazzullo\n00-0141\nU.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\n400 77H Street S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590-0001\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nA review of 49 CFR 173.6 (Materials of Trade) clarifications revealed scenarios similar to those found at\nfacilities by company employees. While my interpretation of 173.6 and subsequent instruction to\nmy facility. These scenarios involved transportation of hazardous materials between or to company\nemployees agrees with published clarifications, questions have arisen that require additional clarifications.\nFrom time to time, Merichem Research Center \"samples\" must be transported to independent analytical\nlaboratories for various analyses. The \"samples\" are, by definition, hazardous materials but fall into the\nclasses or divisions eligible for Materials of Trade consideration. In addition, Materials of Trade quantity\nlimits are not exceeded and Merichem Research Center's principal business is not transportation by motor\nvehicle. Could a Merichem Research Center employee transport a \"sample\" as a Material of Trade to an\nemployee transport a \"sample\" as a Material of Trade from an independent analytical laboratory back to\nindependent analytical laboratory? After analyses are completed, could a Merichem Research Center\nMerichem Research Center?\nRegarding the first scenario in which a Merichem Research Center employee transports a \"sample\" to an\nnot apply. My reasoning is based upon the interpretation that, while the analytical results are of benefit to\nindependent analytical laboratory, I have instructed employees that the Materials of Trade exception does\nof the analytical laboratory. On the other hand, I have instructed employees that the Materials of Trade\nMerichem Research Center, transport of the \"sample\" is actually in direct support of the principal business\nexception applies to the second scenario in which a Merichem Research Center employee transports a\n\"sample\" from the analytical laboratory. In this case, retur of the \"sample\" is required for further work\nand, consequently, support of Merichem Research Center's principal business.\nThank you in advance for clarifications regarding the application of the Materials of Trade exception to\nthese two scenarios.\nSincerely,\nFoN. Rebend 9.,\nСнтт\nLeo N. Richard Jr., CHMM\nChemical Hygiene Supervisor\nMerichem Company Research Center\n— Chemicals for Industry","truncated":false,"body_characters":3793}