{"operation":"document","citation":"12-0167","title":"FedEx Express — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2012-10-03","effective_on":null,"summary":"12-0167 response to FedEx Express concerning 172.401.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0167.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0167.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0167","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2012/120167.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\nWashington. DC 20590\nOCT 0 3 2012\nMr. David Littlejohn\nCorporate Safety Advisor\nFedEx Express\nP.O. Box 727\nMemphis, TN 38194-7622\nRef. No. 12-0167\nDear Mr. Littlejohn:\nThis responds to your August 7, 2012 email requesting clarification on the prohibited\nlabeling requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts\n171-180). Specifically, you ask if a \"square-on-point\" or diamond shaped red label printed\nwith the word \"FRAGILE,\" affixed to a package shown in your attached photograph\nviolates the prohibited labeling requirements under § 172.401(b) of the HMR, even if the\npackage does not contain a hazardous material.\nSection 172.401(b) provides that no person may offer for transportation and no carrier may\ntransport a package bearing any marking or label which by its color, design, or shape could\nbe confused with or conflict with a label prescribed in Part 172 of the HMR. This\nprohibition applies to packages containing hazardous materials as well as non-hazardous\nmaterials.\nDOT prescribed labels and placards are designed to facilitate the immediate and reliable\ncommunication of information concerning the nature and quantity of hazardous materials\nmoved in transportation, so that carrier personnel, law enforcement officials, and first\nresponders know to take appropriate precautions in handling, law enforcement, and\nemergency response situations. Ultimately, the hazard communication system is only as\neffective as the ability of these individuals to identify and distinguish among designs.\nAccordingly, we cannot tolerate the use in transportation of designs and logos that are\nconfusingly similar to hazmat labels or placards.\nTherefore, it is this Office's opinion that the square-on-point, \"FRAGILE'' label in the\nphotograph that you provided is intended to mimic hazmat labels as it is similar in shape\n(square-on-point or diamond shape), size (approximately 4 inches x 4 inches), and color\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n(red with a white border) to hazard warning labels used on packages containing hazardous\nmaterials; therefore, the square-on-point label with the word \"FRAGILE\" affixed to the\npackage is unacceptable and prohibited under § 172.40l(b ).\nI hope this answers your inquiry.\nSincerely,\nz~i9~\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nDrakeford, Carol n (PHMSA)\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSent:\nTo:\nSubject: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 2:51 PM\nDrakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nFW: Interpretation 49 CFR 172. 401 (b)\nCarolyn,\nWe received the following request for a formal letter of interpretation.\nThanks,\nVictoria\nFrom: David Littlejohn [mailto:mdlittlejohn@fedex.com]\nSent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 10:20 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSubject: Interpretation 49 CFR 172. 401(b)\nDear Sir or Madam:\nFedEx Express is requesting an interpretation regarding 49 CFR § 172.401(b). It is our understanding after\ndiscussion with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Hazardous Materials\nInformation Center that thi_~ s.ec:_tion only applies to regulated hazardo_u~ mc:lt~rials shipments. This secJlol}\n\"-'~<-'\"--·-•-n--•--\"'\"•'~•'\"••--·-•- ,----··-·J•• ·u••·•- •'- -••••\" • ' ---\n,. •-•-~·•·'·-•\"-~• --•-·....-~-------•7\"'\ndoes not apply tq_D.Qil_~hazardous shipments nor is a shipper prohibited from using a label described in this\nsectio·n._]\\tt~~h-~d is a~ -e~-~rnple-ofa-pack~ge __ \\~jtlth __ ~ __ ricJJragil~ 1~6el~tf[)(ed to_a-p<K~age that does notcontain\nhazard~u~- materials. W.iiof!ivie-eking ~9nfirrn<Jt!on_thatth~y~rpal interpret(ltiqnis c;onect(lnd is not a\nviolation of this section. Thank you in advance for your review and if any additional information is required\nplease do not hesitate to contact me directly.\nDavid Littlejohn\nCorporate Safety Advisor\n901-434-9567\nM DLITTLEJOHN@ FEDEX.COM\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nFRAGILE\nCASE\n2","truncated":false,"body_characters":3957}