# U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 00-0246
- **title:** U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2000-10-06
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 00-0246 response to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission concerning 171.1.
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0246.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0246
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000246.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh St., S.W.
OCT
6 2000
Mr. Patrick M. Race
Compliance Officer
Ref. No. 00-0246
U.S. Consumer Product
Office of Compliance
Washington, DC
Safety Commission
20207
Dear Mr. Race:
This is in response to your August 31, 2000 letter, addressed to
Approvals,
Mr. James E. Jones, Office of Hazardous Materials Exemptions and
Materials
concerning the applicability of the Hazardous
government personnel who transport or offer for transportation
: Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to Federal
hazardous materials, such as
lighters.
: fireworks and butane-fuel cigarette
Your understanding of the HMR is correct. Hazardous materials
are not subject to the HMR. However, if the purpose is
transported for noncommercial purposes by government personnel
materials for transportation to a commercial carrier, then the
commercial, or if government personnel offer the hazardous
HMR apply.
You are also correct in your understanding that multi-purpose
matches,
lighters, also known as grill lighters, fireplace lighters, gas
containing flammable gas, 2.1, UN 1057".
etc., would be described
classified as "Lighters,
If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Halte R. Michell
Hattie I. Mitchell, Chief
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
000246
pril

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Mitchell
8171-1
U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
Applicability
WASHINGTON, DC 20207
00 - 0246
Patrick M. Race
Compliance Officer
Tel: 301-504-0400, ext. 1451
Recalls and Compliance Division
Office of Compliance
Emai
Fax: 301504-0359
@cpsc.gov
AUG 3 1 2000
00 SEP - 6 AM 9:19
EXEMPTIONS & APPROVALS
U0 1/RSPA/OMMS
Mr. James E. Jones
Chief, Approvals Officer
Office of Hazardous Material Safety
Research and Special Program Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh St., NW
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Mr. Jones:
I am writing to request a clarification of the Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR)
governing Federal agencies engaging in the transport and shipment of hazardous materials. The
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPS) is an independent, Federal agency
that is responsible for protecting the public from dangerous and unsafe products. Our field,
technical and compliance staff frequently transport or ship hazardous material including
fireworks and butane-fueled cigarette lighters.
It is my understanding that government agencies are exempt from HMR. However,
under certain circumstances, they must comply with those regulations. Is this correct? If so,
what are the circumstances when the CPSC is exempt and what are the circumstances when it
must comply and follow those regulations?
In addition, the staff is addressing questions regarding the regulation and enforcement of
a new standard by the CPSC. This regulation, 16 C.F.R. Part 1212, will become effective on
December 22, 2000. It is our understanding that there is not a separate classification for multi-
purpose lighters (as defined in 16 C.F.R. §1212.2) under the FIMR and they are classified
according to 49 C.F.R. $172.101 as "Lighters or Lighter refills cigarettes, containing flammable
gas, Class 2.1, UN1057" for purposes of transportation. Is this consistent with Department o
"ransportation policy and regulations'
CPSC Hotline: 1-800-638-CPSC(2772) * CPSC's Web Site: http://www.cpsc.gov

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Mr. James E. Jones
Page 2
I appreciate your feedback and input on these issues. I have attached a copy of 16 C.F.R.
1212 and a picture of a multi-purpose lighter for your convenience. Please feel free to contact
me with any questions you or your staff may have.
Sincerely,
Patrick M. Race
Attachments:
Safety Standard for Multi-Purpose Lighters; Final Rule
Photos of Exemplar Multi-Purpose Lighters
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