{"operation":"document","citation":"07-0157","title":"FedEx Express — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2007-11-30","effective_on":null,"summary":"07-0157 response to FedEx Express concerning 172.304, 172.406.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0157.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0157.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0157","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070157.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nNOV 3 0 2307\nMr. Thomas J. Leech, I11\nFedEx Express\n3670 Hacks Cross Road\nBuilding G, 2nd Floor\nMemphis, TN 38125-8800\nRef. No.: 07-01 57\nRef. No.: 07-01 57\nDear Mr. Leech:\nThis responds to your letter dated August 10,2007, regarding the acceptability under the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR 171 -1 80), specifically $5 172.304 and\n172.406, of various methods used to affix markings and labels to packages.\nYou enclosed a number of FedEx shipping pouches intended to be affixed to the surface of\na package, and one shipping pouch attached to a tag which would be affixed to luggage or a\ncanying case. Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows:\n1. May a documentation pouch with an adhesive backing be used to affix a marking or\nlabel contained therein to a package?\nAs specified in $ 172.304, markings must be durable, in English, and printed on or\naffixed to the surface of a package or on a label, tag, or sign. The marking must be\ndisplayed on a sharply contrasting background, unobscured by labels or\nattachments, and located away from any other marking that could substantially\nreduce its effectiveness. These requirements are basically performance standards.\nUse of a pouch attached by adhesive to a package, or to a tag which is then attached\nto the package, is an acceptable means of displaying and affixing the markings,\nassuming the aforementioned performance standards are met.\nFor labels, $ 172.406 requires, in part, that the label be printed on or affixed to a\nsurface of the package, be clearly visible, and not be obscured by markings or\nattachments. In the same manner as for markings, a pouch may be used to affix the\nlabel to a package. In addition, under the provisions of 5 172.407, labels must meet\nspecific durability, weather resistance and color requirements.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n2. 3. May a packing list, containing a marking or label printed on a sheet of paper, be\nused to affix the marking or label to a package?\nMarkings and labels may be displayed along with other information such as that\ncontained on a packing list, if the other information does not reduce the\neffectiveness of the required information and other performance standards for\ndisplaying and affixing the markings and labels are met. With regard to labels\nprinted on paper, it may be difficult to meet the durability and color requirements of\n!j 172.407.\nMay markings and labels typed or printed on a sheet of paper be affixed to a\npackage with clear tape?\nYou did not provide an example of how the tape would be used to attach the sheet\nof paper to the package, nor indicate the quality of the paper. Considering the lack\nof tear and moisture resistance of unprotected ordinary paper, a piece of paper may\nnot be sufficiently durable, depending on the conditions of transport. As indicated\nabove, with regard to labels printed on paper it may be difficult to meet the\ndurability and color requirements of 9 172.407.\nWith regard to the examples of pouches and markings you provided, the backing of\neach pouch is fully covered with adhesive, suggesting it would be firmly affixed to\nthe surface of the package. Most of the pouches had sealable flaps for inserting\ntheir contents; flaps should be sealed to prevent the required information fiom\nfalling out during transport, in which case we would find these examples of pouches\nand markings acceptable.\nI hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.\nSincerely,\n6 ' 7 \" ~ # Edward T. Mazzullo\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nCorporate Safety Telephone 901.434.9556\n3670 Hacks Cross Road Fax 901.434.9769\nBu~ldlng C. 2nd Floor\nExpress\nAugust 10,2007\nMr. John Gale, Chief\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\nU.S. DOTIPHMSA (PHH-10)\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Bldg, 2\" Floor\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nSubject: Marking and Labeling Requirements under 49 CFR 172.304 and 172.407\nFedEx Express would like your interpretation of the marking and labeling requirements under 49\nCFR 172.304 and 172.407. We would like a detailed explanation of what is considered durable\nmarkindlabeling and what types of materials would be considered suitable to meet the \"affixed\nto the surface of a package\" provisions. Here are a few scenarios for your consideration:\nCan a documentation pouch with an adhesive peel off backing containing an approved\nmarking/label printed on a sheet of paper inside the pouch be used to affix the\nmarkindlabel on a package? I am enclosing FedEx shipping pouches with example\nmarkings and labels inside them for your review.\nCan a packing list containing an approved markindlabel printed on a sheet of paper\ninside the pouch be used to affix the markindlabel?\nCan markings and labels typed or printed on a sheet of paper be affixed to the package\nwith clear tape?\nNothing in the regulations indicates that the markings and labels must be permanently affixed to\nthe package. It is possible that a pouch or packing list could be snagged and tom off during\ntransit. Do you have any examples of what materials used to affix markings and labels that\nwould be prohibited or approved?\nThanks in advance for your guidance related to this issue. Please contact me at 901-434-9846 if\nyou have any questions related to this inquiry.\nSincerely,\nThomas J. Leech, I11\nSr. Safety Specialist\nDangerous Goods Administration\nFedEx Express\nEnclosures\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nShipper's Declaration not Required\nL Air wavbills must have the followinp: -\nPart B is Required\n1. \"Dangerous goods -\nShipper's Declaration\nDry ice amount must be in not required\".\nkilograms 2. Dry lce;S;UN1845\n3. 1 x 10 Kg Ill\nNote 2.2 Ibs. = 1 kg. A\n(Number pkgs) (wt)\nSHIPPER'S NAME & ADDRESS\nFrederick Falls\n3875 Airways Blvd\nmemphis, TN 381 16\nV CONSIGNEE~S NAME ADDRESS\nWendy K. McNamara\n30 FedEx Parkway\nCollierville, TN 38017\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nBiological Substance, Category B\nUN3373\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nTo: Jeff McElroy\n72 South Fork drive\nDallas, TX 761 1 1\nConsunler Commodity\nI ORM-D-AIR 1\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\nDO NOT PUP AS DG This package MUST be inspected by the\norigin location Dangerous Goods Specialist.\nM1W95 REV 51D5 MW1\n..................................................................................................................................................................................... .\nAPPLY LABELTO SMALL PACKAGES BY WRAPPING AROUND CORNER OF PACKAGE ONTHE DOTTED LINE\nPRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES --\nFORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\nA DANGEROUS GOODS IN EXCEPTED QUANTITIES 1\nI This package contains dangerous goods in excepted small quantities\nand is in all respects in compliance with the applicable international\nand national government regulations and the IATA Dangerous Goods i\nI Regulations.\nSignature of Shipper\nI Title Date\nI i\nName and Address of Shipper\nI\nI\nI This package contains substance(s) in Class(es) I\nI\n(Check appropriate boxes) I\nI I\nI\nI Class 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 I\nI\n\n<<<PAGE 9>>>\n\nThis pouch is resealable:\nIu C A r u a C kumea~wt n c t b t L V C L,,lEn . u,*a'a >,,,*A, ,\"V AUL -*-\na s ~ l n n o n 3 u ~ I S ~ H O V 3SOdX3 or TO EXPOSE AOHESIVE,. .RE~vE.LINER\n>.- . 01 . ~QEXPGSI.\nESlVE REMO~E dNER H3N1.73AON3H 3AIS3H0V 3SQdX3 01 ,, - . - - A\n._ I I, \"' \"' TO'E~POSE AOUE~YE ~ ~ k & c t @ ~ ~ ii!' @.gqll 3 ~ ~ 4 3 ~ 3 h i ~ ! ~ ~ ~ ~ d ~\nb'3NI' 3AOYV3H 3AIS3HOVBSOdX3 01 TO EXPOSE ADHi JIVE / , 83~17 4 4 0 ~ 3 ~ 3 , ~ & & & Q ~ X TO ExFOSI\nC C I ~ , C D T I . i L C D was. n a n r i ~ a u a~lcaurrw a c n ~ u ~ nl 't t","truncated":false,"body_characters":7628}