# Greenberg Traurig, LLP — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0103
- **title:** Greenberg Traurig, LLP — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-09-05
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0103 response to Greenberg Traurig, LLP concerning 173.22, 173.62.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0103.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0103.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0103
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070103.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E
of Transportation
Washington. DC 20590
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Mr. Sanford M. Saunders, Jr.
Ret. No.: 07-0103
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Mr. Kenneth P. Kaplan
Attorneys at Law
800 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Messrs. Saunders and Kaplan:
This is in response to your May 9, 2007 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
questions are paraphrased and answered below.
(including signed shipping papers, packaging materials and instructions), is Shipper A
QI: If Shipper A provides Shipper B with the EX number and shipping materials
potentially subject to either the civil or criminal penalty provisions of the HMR?
Al: The answer is yes. Each person who performs the functions of an offeror (shipper),
non-compliance with the HMR. Determinations of civil or criminal penalties are handlec
potentially subject to either the civil or criminal penalty provisions that may result fron
on a case-by-case basis.
ammunition primer for transport in commerce using Shipper A's EX number and in the
Q2. If Shipper B, without any assistance from or notification to Shipper A, offers the
original packaging, will Shipper A be subject to either civil or criminal penalty provisions
of the HMR?
173.22
070103
173.62

<<<PAGE 2>>>

A2. The answer is no. If Shipper A does not perform any of the functions of an offeror,
then the HMR, including the enforcement provisions would not apply. Also, note that the
EX number is directly associated with the explosive material and its packaging.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact this office.
Sincerel!
Hitti
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Satterthwarte
Greenberg
$173.22
Traurig
$,173.62
Tel. 202.331.3130
Sanford M. Saunders, Jr.
saunderss@gtlaw.com
Fax. 202.261.0151
Shipper's Responsibility
Explosive 87-0103
Tel. 202.331.3191
Kenneth P. Kaplan
Fax 202.261.0156
kaplank@gtlaw.com
May 9, 2007
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Division Director
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
ALBANY
Re: Request for Interpretation of a Shipper's Responsibility
AMSTERDAM
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
ATLANTA
BOCA RATON
Pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 105.20, we are writing for a clarification on the responsibilities
BOSTON
customer ("Shipper B") returns the ammunition primer to Shipper A. There are two scenarios
of a shipper who originally shipped ammunition primer to a customer ("Shipper A") and the
I CHICAGO
I DALLAS
for which we seek clarification.
DENVER
FORT LAUDERDALE
First, Shipper A, an ammunition manufacturer, ships ammunition primer to its customer
in accordance with its Hazardous Class or Division, 1.4F, and consistent with requirements
IOS ANGELES
established in 49 C.F.R. §§ 173.22 and 173.62. The customer, Shipper B, desires to return the
MIAM;
ammunition primer to Shipper A. Shipper B contacts Shipper A concerning its need to return
NEW JERSFY
the ammunition primer. Shipper A, in turn, provides shipping materials to Shipper B and
NEW YORK
nstring Shipper shionin proper met dionely in her alisone decen
ORANGE COUNTY, CA
ORLANDO
pa age for ransporesign, Under three air hippines, Shipper A is not in a position fiers sure
PHILADELPHIA
that Shipper B's return shipment is prepared in accordance with sections 173.22 or 173.62 ever
PHOENIX
SILICON VALLEY
TALLAHASSER
under 49 C.F.R. Part 107, Subpt. D or applicable provisions of the Hazardous Materials
TYSONS CORNER
WASHIN.TON, C.E.
WEST PALM BEACH
WEMINGTON
ZURICH
Greenberg Traurig, LLP | Attorneys at Law | 800 Connecticut Avenue. NW | Suite 500 | Washington, D.C. 20006
Tel 202.331.3100 | Fax 202.331.3101
www.gtiaw.com

<<<PAGE 4>>>

Mr. Edward Mazzullo
Page 2
May 9, 2007
Shipper B
Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. §§ 5101 et. seq. ["HMTA"] in connection with the shipment by
Second, Shipper A's customer, Shipper B, receives the ammunition primer, which
Clearly, the shipping regulations place responsibility for adhering to 49 C.F.R. Part 173
er containet equired by (ar 103). See 49 C.F. 17322. Moreover the civil and ariain.
r container required by Part 173.
Accordingly, our questions are as follows:
1. If Shipper A allows Shipper B to use its EX number and provides that party
iminal penalty provisions of HMTA or PHMSA's regulations if Shipper B fails
lipping materials and instructions, will Shipper A be liable under either the civil
adhere to hazardous material shipping statutory and regulatory requirements; and
under Shipper A's EX number and in its packaging, will Shipper A be liable under
2. If Shipper B, without notification to Shipper A, ships ammunition primer
Shipper B fails to adhere to hazardous material shipping regulatory requirements.
either civil or criminal penalty provisions of HMTA or PHMSA's regulations if
Greenberg Traurig, LLP

<<<PAGE 5>>>

Mr. Edward Mazzullo
Page 3
May 9, 2007
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need clarification of our questions or require
additional information. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
anford M.Saunders, J
Kenneth P. Kaplan
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
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