# FedEx Express — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **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:** Not available
- **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>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington. DC 20590
OCT 0 3 2012
Mr. David Littlejohn
Corporate Safety Advisor
FedEx Express
P.O. Box 727
Memphis, TN 38194-7622
Ref. No. 12-0167
Dear Mr. Littlejohn:
This responds to your August 7, 2012 email requesting clarification on the prohibited
labeling requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts
171-180). Specifically, you ask if a "square-on-point" or diamond shaped red label printed
with the word "FRAGILE," affixed to a package shown in your attached photograph
violates the prohibited labeling requirements under § 172.401(b) of the HMR, even if the
package does not contain a hazardous material.
Section 172.401(b) provides that no person may offer for transportation and no carrier may
transport a package bearing any marking or label which by its color, design, or shape could
be confused with or conflict with a label prescribed in Part 172 of the HMR. This
prohibition applies to packages containing hazardous materials as well as non-hazardous
materials.
DOT prescribed labels and placards are designed to facilitate the immediate and reliable
communication of information concerning the nature and quantity of hazardous materials
moved in transportation, so that carrier personnel, law enforcement officials, and first
responders know to take appropriate precautions in handling, law enforcement, and
emergency response situations. Ultimately, the hazard communication system is only as
effective as the ability of these individuals to identify and distinguish among designs.
Accordingly, we cannot tolerate the use in transportation of designs and logos that are
confusingly similar to hazmat labels or placards.
Therefore, it is this Office's opinion that the square-on-point, "FRAGILE'' label in the
photograph that you provided is intended to mimic hazmat labels as it is similar in shape
(square-on-point or diamond shape), size (approximately 4 inches x 4 inches), and color

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(red with a white border) to hazard warning labels used on packages containing hazardous
materials; therefore, the square-on-point label with the word "FRAGILE" affixed to the
package is unacceptable and prohibited under § 172.40l(b ).
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
z~i9~
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Drakeford, Carol n (PHMSA)
From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Sent:
To:
Subject: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 2:51 PM
Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
FW: Interpretation 49 CFR 172. 401 (b)
Carolyn,
We received the following request for a formal letter of interpretation.
Thanks,
Victoria
From: David Littlejohn [mailto:mdlittlejohn@fedex.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 10:20 AM
To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Subject: Interpretation 49 CFR 172. 401(b)
Dear Sir or Madam:
FedEx Express is requesting an interpretation regarding 49 CFR § 172.401(b). It is our understanding after
discussion with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Hazardous Materials
Information Center that thi_~ s.ec:_tion only applies to regulated hazardo_u~ mc:lt~rials shipments. This secJlol}
"-'~<-'"--·-•-n--•--"'"•'~•'"••--·-•- ,----··-·J•• ·u••·•- •'- -••••" • ' ---
,. •-•-~·•·'·-•"-~• --•-·....-~-------•7"'
does not apply tq_D.Qil_~hazardous shipments nor is a shipper prohibited from using a label described in this
sectio·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
hazard~u~- materials. W.iiof!ivie-eking ~9nfirrn<Jt!on_thatth~y~rpal interpret(ltiqnis c;onect(lnd is not a
violation of this section. Thank you in advance for your review and if any additional information is required
please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
David Littlejohn
Corporate Safety Advisor
901-434-9567
M DLITTLEJOHN@ FEDEX.COM
1

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FRAGILE
CASE
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