# Environmental Management, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 11-0291
- **title:** Environmental Management, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2012-04-02
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 11-0291 response to Environmental Management, Inc. concerning 172.332.
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0291.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0291
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2011/110291.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
APR 0 2 2011
Jamie Newton
Waste Disposal Coordinator
Environmental Management, Inc.
5200 N.E. Highway 33
Post Office Box 700
Guthrie, OK 73044-0700
Reference No.: 11-0291
Dear Jamie Newton:
This is in response to your November 10, 2011 letter requesting clarification of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You ask several questions
pertaining to the identification numbers of hazardous materials. Your questions are
answered as follows:
Ql. When the HMR refers to the identification number are they referring to just the
numerical digits in Column ( 4) of the § 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table?
Al. The HMR does not specifically define whether the term "identification number" refers
to just the numerical digits in Column (4) of the §172.101 Hazardous Materials Table or also
includes the prefix "UN," "NA," or "ID." The identification numbers preceded by the
letters "UN" are associated with proper shipping names appropriate for both domestic and
international transportation. Those preceded by the letters "NA" are only used in domestic
transportation and are not recognized internationally, except to and from Canada (see
§ 172.101(e)). Under Docket HM-215K (76FR 3308;1/19/11), paragraph (e) of § 172.101
added an explanation for identification numbers associated with certain descriptions under
the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport
of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions) and are preceded by the letters
"ID."
02. Are the letters "UN" or "NA" optional on the markings required by § 172.332?
A2. The use of the letters "UN" or "NA" is not optional as part of the identification number.
Identification number markings must be displayed on bulk packagings in accordance with
§ 172.332. Section 172.332 provides three options for displaying an identification number
marking. Identification numbers (numerals only) may be displayed on: (1) an orange panel;
(2) a placard; or (3) a plain white square-on-point display configuration as prescribed in
§ 172.336(b ). The International Maritime Organization's Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG
Code) and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods:

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Model Regulations (UN Model Regulations) also specify the display of identification
number markings on bulk packagings without the "UN" prefix.
Q3. Are the letters "UN," "NA," or "ID" optional in the proper shipping description of a
hazardous material?
A3. The use of the letters "UN," "NA," or "ID" is required to be included as part of the
identification number in the shipping description of a hazardous material on a shipping
paper. The shipping description must include the identification number (with the letters
"UN," "NA," or "ID"), the proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group, for
example: "UNl 090, Acetone, 3, PGII." The ICAO Technical Instructions, IMDG Code, and
the UN Model Regulations also require the use of the prefix "UN" or "ID" with the
identification number in the shipping description.
I hope this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Y2'tir4o·
Delmer Billings
Senior Regulatory Advisor
Standards and Rulemaking Division

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Environmental
MANAGEMENT
November 10, 2011
U.S. DOT
PHMSA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Attn: PHH-1 0
East Building
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.
Washington, DC 20590-0001
f.
To Whom It May Concern:
Re: 172.101(e), 172.202(1) and 172.332
Please accept this letter as a request for a formal interpretation from your office. \,..
Environmental Management, Inc. wishes to receive clarification of what, exactly, constitutes the l ·
"Identification Number" of a hazardous material.
Question 1: When the HMR refers to the identification number, are they referring to just the
numerical digits in column 4 of the Haz Mat Table?
Question 2: Are the letters UN or NA Optional on the markings required by 172.332?
Question 3: Are the letters UN or NA optional in the proper shipping description of a hazardous
material? ·· ·
Example: 1993, Flammable Liquid, N.O.S., (Acetone, Toluene) 3, PGIII
Thank you in advance for your time and input on these questions. Please contact me at
.jnewton@emiok.com, or ( 405) 282-8510 if there is a need for clarification to adequately address these
questions.
ie Newton
Waste Disposal Coordinator
Environmental Management, Inc.
for an environment we c::u1 an Hve witlht today .& tomonow
Post Office Box 700 I Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044-0700 I 405 282-8510 I Web Site: WWWEMIOK.com
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