# Varn International — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 03-0189
- **title:** Varn International — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2003-12-22
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 03-0189 response to Varn International concerning 172.101.
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- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030189.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Administration
Special Programs
DEC 22 2003
Ms. Lee Tipton
Varn International
Ref. No. 03-0189
14000 Westfair East Drive
Houston, TX 77041
Dear Ms. Tipton:
This is in response to your request for clarification of your
understanding of the requirements
under the Hazardous Materials
hazardous materials.
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) regarding mixtures of
related questions: 1) Does a mixture of three hazardous
Specifically, you ask the following
two of the constituents to be listed in parentheses following the
constituents (toluene, isopropanol and hexane) require at least
hexane)"; and 2) Does a product containing one hazardous
proper shipping name ("Flammable liquid, n.o.s.(toluene,
with a non-hazardous material require only the hazardous
component (listed in the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT)) mixed
must the non-hazardous material also be listed?
component in parentheses
following the proper shipping name, or
You are correct that for mixtures and solutions containing more
than one hazardous
technical names of at least two components most predominately
material, § 172.203 (k) (1) requires the
contributing to the hazards of the mixture or solution to be
listed when the material is described by a proper shipping name
identified by the letter "G" in Column (1) of the HMT.
Therefore, if toluene and hexane are the two components that most
predominately contribute to the hazard of your mixture, the
proper shipping name "Flammable liquid, 1.o.s. (toluene, hexane)"
is correct.
For mixtures and solutions containing one hazardous component
hazardous materials, the product must be described using the
that is listed in the HMT by technical name and one or more non-
qualifying word
proper shipping name of the hazardous component with the
"mixture" OI "solution, " unless one of the
172.10/
030189
FOCACAN

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conditions in s/172:101 (c) (10) (i) is met.
conditions in paragraph (c) (10) (i) is met, the most appropriate
when one of the
hazardous component is required in parentheses following the
generic or n.o.s. proper shipping name may be used and only the
stated in your letter.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact this office
if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Hotte z mtahed
Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Hattie I. Mitchell, Chief
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

JUL-30-2003
10:07
P.01/01
MCInture
VARN, A SUBSIDIARY OF DAY INTL. INC.
5112.101
HOUSTON, TX 77041
14000 WESTFAIR EAST DR.
PN: 281-469-6200 X246
FAX: 281-955-9925
Proper Shipping Name
DATE: July 30, 2003
2 PAGE(S) BY FAX
03-0189
TO: DOT - ATTN: EDWARD MAZZOULLO, DIRECTOR OFFICE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
US DOT/RSPA WASHINGTON, DC
FROM: Lee Tipton
Lee_Tipton@day-inti.com
Good Day,
We are having an interpretation dispute in our offices. We need your help in resolving the matter. It
relates to the following 49 CFR sections:
"A mixture or solution not identified in the Table. specifically by name, comprised of two or more hezardous
Re: 172.101 (F) iii
ingredients in the same hazard class, shall be described using an appropriate shipping description (e.g.
alcohol not listed by it's technical name in the Tabie shall be described as Aicohol, NOS rather than
Flammable Liquid, NOS). The name that most appropriately describes the material shall be used, e.g. an
Flammable Liquid, NOS. Some mixtures may be more appropriately described according to their
provisions of suparts C and D of this part, the technical names of at least two components most
application such as "coating solution" or "Extracts flavoring liquid" rather than by an nos entry. Under the
the proper shipping name."
predominately contributing to the hazards of the mixture or solution may be required in association with
172.203(1).
Another place where this same regulation can be found, but in association with shipping papers, is
"If a hazardous material is a mixture or solution of two or more hazardous materials, the technical names
of at least two components most predominately contributing to the hazards of the mixture or solution must
As well, an example is given in 172.202 (d) "Flammable Liquid, nos (Xylane, Benzene)"
be entered on the shipping paper as required by paragraph (k) of this section."
We have a product, Plate Wash R-7, containing 3 hazardous materials (3 ingredients that are all listed
on the Table, l.e. Toluene, Isopropanol and Hexane). My interpretation of the above sections is that at
least 2 of those ingredients must be listed In parentheses after the nos notation. I.E.
3, UN1993, PGII
Flammable Liquid, nos (toluene, hexane)
descriptions in our computer system and we want to be in letter-perfect compllance with all DOT
I need a letter of confirmation to support my position as we are currently upgrading our bill of lading
regulations.
Thank you so much for your time and assistance.
Sincerely
Lee Tipton, Varn Intention asiatice Coordinator
TOTAL P. 01
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