# Remington Arms Company, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 08-0166
- **title:** Remington Arms Company, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2008-07-09
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 08-0166 response to Remington Arms Company, Inc. concerning 176.172.
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0166
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080166.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
JUL ~19 2008
1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E.
Washington. DC 20590
Mr. Gregory D. Kehrli
Worldwide Transportation Manager
Remington Arms Company, Inc.
870 Remington Drive
Madison, NC 27025
Ref. No. 08-01 66
Dear Mr. Kehrli:
This responds to your June 9,2008 letter requesting clarification of the requirements for
structural serviceability of containers and vehicles carrying Class 1 (explosive) materials on
ships under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1-1 80).
Specifically, you ask for clarification of the applicability of the requirements to Division 1.4s
explosives under 9 176.172 of the HIVIR.
It is your understanding that Division 1.4 explosives are not subject to the structural
serviceability requirements under 9 176.172(a)(2) based on the exception from the
requirement to have a certification statement of structural serviceability accompany the
shipment as provided in 8 176.1 72(c). You indicate that your understanding is supported by
language in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). 7.4.6.4.2 of
the IMDG Code states that "freight containers and vehicles shall not be offered for the
transport of goods of class 1 other than division 1.4 unless the container or the vehicle is
structurally serviceable."
Your understanding is correct. It is the opinion of this Office that Division 1.4 explosives
(including Division 1.4s explosives) are excepted from the structural serviceability
requirements in accordance with 5 176.172(c) of the HMR. According to 5 176.172(c), "all
shipments of Class 1 (explosive) materials except those in Division 1.4 (explosive) must be
accompanied by a statement, which may appear on the shipping paper, certifying that the
freight container or the vehicle is structurally serviceable as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of
this section."
The intent of 5 176.172(c) is to except Division 1.4 explosives from the structural
serviceability requirements in the same manner as the IMDG Code. The language as written
is unclear and could be interpreted to only except Division 1.4 explosives from the
requirement for a certification statement to accompany the shipment. However, the

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certification statement is not required because the containers or vehicles containing Division
1.4 explosives are not required to meet the structural serviceability requirements of
4 176.172(a)(2). We will clarify this language in an upcoming rulemaking.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Susan Gorsky
Acting Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

June 9,2008
Mr. Shane Kelley
US Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590-0001
Subject: Application of Container Serviceability Rule to Shipments of 1.4s
Dear Mr. Kelley:
We are writing to request an interpretation of the rules regarding the application of the Container
Structural Serviceability rule for international shipments of Class 1.4s materials.
Per the 2006 IMDG Code, Part 7 (7.4.6.4.2) , Division 1.4 materials are exempted from
structural serviceability rules. However, we have had numerous instances where cargo inspection
bureaus, working on behalf of ocean carriers, have insisted that these rules do apply as specified '
in 49CFR part 176. In reviewing 176.172, 176.172 (c) specifically exempts Division 1.4
materials from the requirement that a statement must appear on the shipping paper certifying that
the freight container is structurally serviceable. It would appear from our view that this statement
leads us to believe that serviceability rules should not be applicable, coupled with the fact that
this exception for Division 1.4 materials is clearly stated in the IMDG code.
In instances where containers have been rejected by the cargo inspection bureaus referencing the
requirements of this rule, some of our shipments have missed their initial vessel sailing dates,
and had to remain in the port area for an extended period to be trans-loaded into another
container causing unnecessary delay to our customers.
Please review and advise the proper interpretation that should be applied to ocean shipments of
Division 1.4 materials.
Sincerely,
~ o i d w i d e Transportation Manager
Remington Arms Company, Inc. 870 Rernington Drive e P.O. Box 700 6 Madison, NC 27025
Phone 800-243-9700 www.remington.com
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