{"operation":"document","citation":"11-0304","title":"Dangerous Goods Transport Consulting, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2012-03-28","effective_on":null,"summary":"11-0304 response to Dangerous Goods Transport Consulting, Inc. concerning 178.516.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0304.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0304.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0304","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2011/110304.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nof Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nMAR 282012\nMr. Frits Wybenga\nPresident\nDangerous Goods Transport Consulting, Inc.\n15108 Red Clover Drive\nRockville, MD 20853\nReference No.: 11-0304\nDear Mr. Wybenga:\nThis is in response to your December 12, 2011 letter requesting guidance as to whether a\nrecent amendment to Chapter 6.1.1.1(d) of the United Nations Recommendations on the\nTransport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations (UN Model Regulations), approved by\nthe 40th session of the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of\nDangerous Goods, may be immediately applied in accordance with the Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). The amendment changes the UN Model\nRegulations to the extent that the 450 liter capacity limitation applies only to liquids, other\nthan combination packagings, and packagings containing solids are only subject to the 400\nkg net mass limitation provided in Chapter 6. 1.1.1 (c).\nThe codification of this amendment into the HMR will be considered for a future\nharmonization rulemaking. Until that time, this amendment to the UN Model Regulations\ncannot be applied to the HMR. However, in accordance with 49 CFR Part 107, an\napplication for a special permit may be submitted, requesting permission to exceed the 450\nliter capacity limitation.\nI trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\n-\nVl~'\nDelmer Billings ~\nSenior Regulatory Advisor\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n\"BaGieh\n~ 11 S .510Lb,)(Ie)\nPa.c'kQ~;nj5\nDangerous Goods Transport Consulting, Inc 11- 030'-l\n15108 Red Clover Drive\nRockville, Maryland 20853\n301-929-1668\nCell 301-356-2096\nf.wybenga@comcast.net\nDecember 12, 2011\nMr. Charles Betts\nDirector, Standards and Rulemaking Division\nOffice of Hazardous materials Safety\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nDear Mr. Betts:\nThis is to seek your guidance on the appropriate treatment of packages for solids, inner\npackagings and articles when the outer packaging capacity exceeds 450 liters but the net mass is\nless than 400 kg, specifically whether such packagings may be certified as packagings under the\nprovisions in Subpart L of Part 178.\nDue to the light weight of some solid substances, inner packagings or articles regulated as\nhazardous materials, certain packagings used for these hazardous materials exceed a capacity of\n450 liters but do not exceed the 400 kg net mass limit. There has been confusion worldwide on\ninterpretation of how volumetric and net mass limits apply in the case of such packagings. After\ndiscussion at the 39th and 40th sessions of the UN Subcommittee ofExperts on the Transport of\nDangerous Goods, it was decided to amend the text in 6.1.1.1 ofthe UN Model Regulations\nbased on a proposal by Germany (ST/SG/AC.10/C.312011134). It is my understanding that the\nUS delegation to both meetings supported the clarification resulting from this proposal. From\nthe perspective ofthe HMR, the change has the effect of confirming that these packagings may\nbe treated under the provisions of Subpart 1. As a consequence, only the 400 kg net mass limit\n(for example, as shown in 178.516(b)(6)) need apply to packages for solids, inner packagings\nand articles, such as UN 4G fiberboard boxes. Significantly, the 450 liter capacity limit would\nnot apply for these packagings.\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nI would appreciate knowing whether this interpretation can be applied immediately with respect\nto UN packagings certified in accordance with the provisions ofthe HMR.\nSincerely,\n..4lt°tJp-r\nFrits Wybenga\nPresident\nDangerous Goods Transport Consulting, Inc.","truncated":false,"body_characters":3799}