# Exopack Technical Lab — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **operation:** document - **citation:** 02-0030 - **title:** Exopack Technical Lab — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **source type:** guidance - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** guidance - **official:** true - **published on:** 2002-02-20 - **effective on:** Not available - **summary:** 02-0030 response to Exopack Technical Lab concerning 178.521. - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0030.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0030.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0030 - **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020030.pdf **body:** <<>> • J.S. Department of Transportatior 400 Seventh St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 Research and pecial Program: dministratior FEB 2 0 2002 Mr. Richard Ruebush Exopack Technical Lab DOT Packaging Coordinator Ref. No. 02-0030 P.O. Box 5687 Spartanburg, SC 29304-5687 Dear Mr. Ruebush: This responds to your January 7, 2002 letter requesting confirmation of our opinion in a July 12, 1991 letter concerning the term "water resistant" ply used in § 178.521 for a UNSM2 paper bag is still valid. Specifically, you ask whether the previous interpretation of "water resistant" ply used in a UN SMZ bag is still current. The answer is yes. It is the opinion of this Office that for purposes of § 178.521,UN 5M2 bag, the term "water resistant" means "waterproof". Wet strength paper which does not resist the penetration of water is not suitable for use as a water resistant barrier. I hope this answers your inquiry. Sincerely, Delmer F. Billings Office of Hazardous Materials Standards Chief, Standards Development 178.521 020030 <<>> 1-7-02 Exopack 070 Southport Roa 864-596-7140 partanbure SC 2930 Bosthe 3118-521 Office of Hazardous Materials Standards Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo, Director U.S. DOT / RSPA tackaging 100 g* ton, DC 200590 Spec. Dear Mr. Mazzullo: I am writing to inquire whether your interpretation of the "water resistant" ply used in a 5M2 bag in a 1991 letter still the "water resistant" barrier in a 5M2 package. At times an interpretation or opinion may change and I would like to Stands as ritten at that time. Someone has posed the question to me about whether wet strength paper qualifics as have this point clarified in writing if in fact it is still the case. I have enclosed a copy of your original letter dated July 12, 1991. I can be contacted at 864-596-7159 if you need additional information or if a response will be delayed for any reason. Thank you for your help with this matter. Regards: Richard Ruebush Richard Ruebush Exopack Technical Lab DOT Packaging Coordinator P.O. Box 5687 Spartanburg, SC 29304-5687 - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 2058