{"operation":"document","citation":"05-0102","title":"Hazmatpac Certified Packaging — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2005-12-01","effective_on":null,"summary":"05-0102 response to Hazmatpac Certified Packaging concerning 178.601.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0102.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0102.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0102","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050102.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nWashington, D.C. 20590\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\nPipeline and\nAdministration\nHazardous Materials Safety\nDEC 1 2005\nMr. Donald H. Hausmann\nRef. No. 05-0102\nHazmatpac Certified Packaging\n5301 Polk St., Bldg. 18\nHouston, TX 77023\nDear Mr. Hausmann:\nThis is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials\nRegulatiors (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) regarding the use of used vermiculite as an\nabsorbent and cushioning material in UN specification packagings. Specifically, you\nasked whether the HMR authorizes the reuse of vermiculite that was used in a previous\nshipment. You also asked whether a grade of vermiculite that varies (such as smaller or\nlarger granules) from the grade used when the packaging was tested may be used when\nshipping hazardous materials.\nPreviously used vermiculite may be used in subsequent packagings provided it has not\nbeen compromised and can perform the securing, cushioning and absorbent functions\nrequired by §§ 173.24, 173.24a, 173.27, and 178.601, as applicable.\nWith respect to whether a different grade of vermiculite may be used if the packaging\nwas tested with a smaller or larger grade of vermiculite, the packaging must meet the\nstandard to which it is certified and the material must be of the same type or design as\nused in the tested design type. Without specific test data indicating the two grades of\nvermiculite have similar cushioning properties, it is not possible for us to make a\ndetermination that your samples of vermiculite are of the same type and may be\ninterchanged without further testing.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact this office if you have additional\nquestions.\nSincerely,\nHothe z Mitchell\nHattie L. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n050102\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nHAZMATPAC®\nWebb\nCERTIFIED PACKAGING\n$178.601()(3) (V)\n5301 POLK STREET, BLDG. 18\nHOUSTON, TEXAS 77023\nwww.HAZMATPAC.com\n(3) (iv)\n713.923.2222\n1.800.923.9123\nApril 14, 2005\nTesting\nFAX 713.923.1111\n05-0102\nOffice of Hazardous Material Standards\nMr. Edward T. Mazzullo\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\nDepartment of Transportation\n400 Seventh St. SW, Room 8321\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nDear Mr. Mazzullo,\nI am requesting a written response to this letter. I have two questions pertaining to the use\nof vermiculite as an absorbent and cushioning material for compliance of the United Nations\ntesting.\nMy first question pertains to the reuse of vermiculite from previously shipped packages. Is\nit proper to reuse vermiculite from a previously shipped container? Several test reports I\nhave inspected did not stipulate new or used vermiculite. To comply with the United\nNations testing, would a shipper be required to use only new or virgin vermiculite?\nVermiculite is a good absorbent but when crushed it does not spring back. I have enclosed\nsamples of vermiculite for your review.\nThe second question deals with the different grades of vermiculite. If a package is tested\ngrade? Is there an instance when a package is tested with a smaller grade vermiculite be\nwith a certain grade vermiculite can the grade of vermiculite be substituted for another\nsubstituted with a larger grade or a package tested with a large grade vermiculite be\nsubstituted with a smaller grade.\nThank you for your time and consideration I this matter.\nRespectfully.\nDonald H. Hausmann\nEnclosure\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nLARGE\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>","truncated":false,"body_characters":3483}