# Rohm and Haas Chemicals — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 09-0035
- **title:** Rohm and Haas Chemicals — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2009-06-15
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 09-0035 response to Rohm and Haas Chemicals concerning 171.22, 171.23.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0035.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0035.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0035
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2009/090035.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590
JUN 5 2009
Mr. Vitaly Volfson
Rohm and H'&S Chemicals
100 Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19 106
Ref. No. 09-0035
Dear Mr. Volfson:
This responds to your February 17,2009 email requesting clarification of the use of the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code for transportation of hazardous
materials under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1-1 80).
Specifically, you request clarification of the use of IMDG Code marks and labels for
intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) imported to or exported from the United States.
In a follow-up telephone conversation with a member of my staff, you stated that the IBCs
contain liquid hazardous materials and are consolidated in freight containers for vessel
shipment. You also stated that the transport documents for shipment of these IBCs indicate
that they are either shipped directly to a customer facility or shipped to a warehouse to be
separated and sent to various facilities. Your questions are paraphrased and answered as
follows:
Q1. For import into the United States by vessel, upon arrival at a port, may an IBC prepared
for shipment and,transported in accordance with the IMDG Code continue to be transported
to its destination with IMDG Code marks and labels?
Al. Yes, subject to conformance with the IMDG Code and the conditions and limitations of
Part 171, Subpart C. Note that, for example, 5 171.23 lists requirements for specific
materials and packages transported in accordance with international standards, including the
IMDG Code. If this section indicates that a package must be marked or labeled in a manner
that differs from requirements in the IMDG Code, the marks or labels must be applied before
the IBC is transported within the United States.
-
42. For IBCs delivered to a customer facility and emptied, how should shipments of the
empty IBC containing only the residue of a hazardous material be handled? Must the
customer facility transport the IBC in accordance with the HMR?
A2. As authorized by § 171.22, a hazardous material may be offered for transport and
transported to, from, and within the United States by vessel, and by motor carrier and rail
prior to or subsequent to transport by vessel, in accordance with the IMDG Code provided all
or part of the movement is by vessel. Thus, an IBC imported by vessel and delivered to a
customer facility under the IMDG Code as authorized by 8 171.22, emptied, and then

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prepared for shipment, may continue to be offered for transportation in accordance with the
IMDG Code (including marking and labeling) provided all or part of the movement is by
vessel. This applies to both domestic only shipments and international shipments.
43. If the imported IBC is first delivered to a warehouse prior to being shipped to a
customer facility, may the IBC continue to be transported with IMDG Code marks and
labels?
A3. If an IBC is delivered to a warehouse used for temporary storage (i.e., storage incidental
to movement as defined by 9 171.8) as part of the original shipment and then transported to
its final destination, it may continue to be transported with the IMDG Code marks and labels
subject to the conditions and limitations of Part 171, Subpart C. If the warehouse is the final
destination of the original import shipment, as indicated by the transport document, then any
subsequent shipment of the IBC from the warehouse must be transported in accordance with
the HNIR, including applicable marking and labeling requirements. However, as authorized
by 9 171.22, the subsequent shipment of the IBC to a customer facility may be transported
under the IMDG Code provided all or part of the movement is by vessel and subject to the
conditions and limitations of Part 171, Subpart C.
44. For export from the United States, may an IBC prepared for shipment and transported in
accordance with the IMDG Code be transported with IMDG Code marks and labels for the
segment of transportation prior to the port of departure?
A4. Yes, the same requirements apply for export shipment of the IBC as indicated for import
shipment in A 1.
Q5. For shipments made under the IMDG Code, must the transport vehicle containing an
IBC display the UN identification number that is displayed on the IBC?
A5. Unless required by the IMDG Code under 5.3.2.1.1, the transport vehicle is not required
to display the UN identification number. When display is not required by the IMDG Code
and if the identification number marking on the IBC is not visible from the transport vehicle,
we recommend that you display the identification number as required by 5 173.33 1 (c) of the
HMR in order to facilitate the highway or rail transport segment of the shipment.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact this office.
Sincerely,
(uT~& Edward T. Mazzullo
Director
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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. ~
Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>
From: INFOCNTR <PHMSA> ymbC%
Sent:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 956 AM
To:
Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA> ~ C ) - D O ~
Subject:
FW: Hazmat Information Center Feedback: Hazardous Materials Table, Special Provisions,
Hazardous Materials Communications
Carolyn,
A Request for written letter of interpretation.
Thanks,
Rob
----- Original Message-----
From: PHMSA-Feedback [mailto:PHMSA-Feedback]
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 10:55 AM
To: PHMSA HM Infocenter; PHMSA Webmaster
Subject: Hazmat Information Center Feedback: Hazardous Materials Table, Special
Provisions, Hazardous Materials Communications
To Whom It May Concern,
I am requesting clarification on the use of International Regulations for shipments of
hazardous materials that are either imported into or exported out of the United States.
My understanding of 49CFR 171.22 is that as long as all or part of the shipment is
transported by vessel under the IMDG regulations or by air under the ICAO regulations, the
shipment may be transported within USA under the terms of the IMDG and ICAO, with certain
restrictions.
My specific questions relates to the global transportation of hazmat in Intermediate Bulk
Containers (IBC). Under Chapter 5.2 of IMDG regulations, an IBC containing hazmat must be
proper1y:l) Marked with the proper shipping name including the proper UN number on two
opposing sides of a container, and 2) Labeled with primary and subsidiary (when required)
hazard labels near the proper shipping name on two opposing sides for IBC. Under 49 CFR
172.302, and IBC must be marked with proper Identification number displayed on an Orange
Panel, a placard, or a white square on point configuration as described in 172.332 and
172.336. In addition the IBC must be either placarded as provided in 172.514 or
alternatively labeled with the proper primary and subsidiary hazard labels in accordance
with Subpart E of 172.
As evident by the description above there is inconsistency in requirements for IBC
marking, placarding, and labeling between IMDG and DOT regulations. Most notably, IMDG
requires proper shipping name on a package, DOT does not. DOT requires the package to
display UN number on an orange panel or a placard, IMDG does not. Both IMDG and DOT
permit labels on IBC's, however DOT requires the proper display of the UN number in
addition. This inconsistency impedes global flow of hazmat and creates confusion.
Q1. An IBC is prepared for transportation under terms of IMDG regulations and imported
into US. Upon arrival at the port of entry, may the IBC be transported within US to it's
destination without first bringing the marking/labeling to compliance with 49CFR
requirements? If yes, how would shipments of empty containers containing only the
residue of hazmat be handled? If the full containers are received by a facility under
IMDG provisions, would the shipping location be required to bring the IBC1s to compliance
with 49CFR for shipments of residue?
Q2. If the imported shipment is first delivered to a warehouse prior to being shipped to
the customers, may the warehouse continue to offer IBC shipments marked and labeled under
IMDG requirements or would the IBC's have to be brought to compliance with 49 CFR
marking/labeling requirements?
Q3. An IBC is prepared for transportation under IMDG regulations for export from US. May
an IBC be transported over highways to the port of departure under the terms of IMDG
marking/labeling provisions instead of 49CFR requirements? Would the outside of the
transport vehicle be required to display the proper UN number if the IBC1s are marked
under the IMDG provisions?
Your assistance in resolving this inconsistency is greatly appreciated.
1

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Thank You
-----------
Name: Vitaly Volfson
Organization: Rohm and Haas Chemicals
Email: Vvolfson@rohmhaas.com
Phone: 215-592-6947
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