# CMA CGM (America), LLC. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 16-0005
- **title:** CMA CGM (America), LLC. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2016-06-03
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 16-0005 response to CMA CGM (America), LLC. concerning 171.22, 171.23, 171.25, 173.22.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0005.json
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0005
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2016/160005.pdf
**body:**

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of Transportation
U.S. Department
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
JUN O 3 2016
Chris Godfrey
CMA CGM (America), LLC
5701 Lake Wright Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
Ref. No. 16-0005
Dear Mr. Godfrey:
This responds to your letter of January 5, 2016 requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) and the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code applicable to consignments of fish meal transported by
vessel. Specifically, you ask whether a laboratory analysis certificate is considered a
certificate issued by a "recognized authority" in accordance with Special Provision 928 of the
IMDG Code ("SP 928").
SP 928 states, "The provisions of this Code shall not apply to... consignments of fish meal
which are accompanied by a certificate issued by a recognized competent authority of the
country of shipment or other recognized authority stating that the product has no self-
heating properties in packaged form" [emphasis added]. Based on this Office's understanding
of the IMDG Code provision, it does not require an approval from the competent authority to
ship fish meal as not regulated. Further, it is our opinion that a laboratory analysis certificate
is sufficient to be considered a certificate issued by a "recognized authority." Therefore, in
accordance with SP 928, a consignment of fish meal transported by vessel would not be
subject to the provisions of the IMDG Code if accompanied by a laboratory analysis
certificate specifying that. the shipment has no self-heating properties in packaged form.
Please note that, under § 173.22 of the HMR, it is the shipper's responsibility to properly class
and describe a hazardous material. In addition, provided all or part of the movement is by
within the U.S. in accordance with the requirements of the IMDG Code and all applicable
vessel, hazardous materials may be offered for transportation or transported to, from, or
requirements of Part 171, Subpart C. See §§ 171.22, 171.23, and 171.25.
I hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, please contact this Office
again.
Sincerely,
Dirk Der Kinderen
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

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Lesko
IMDG
5 / 71,25
16-0005
CMA CGM
January 5, 2016
Mr. Charles E. Betts
Director, Standards and Rulemaking Division
U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Attn: PHH-10
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20590-0001
Subj: REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION OF SPECIAL PROVISION (SP) 928 OF THE
IMDG CODE
Dear Mr. Betts,
I am writing to request an interpretation of IMDG Special Provision (SP) 928. SP 928 excepts
consignments of stabilized fishmeal which are accompanied by a certificate issued by a recognized
competent authority of the country of shipment or other recognized authority stating that the product
has no self-heating properties when transported in packaged form. A laboratory analysis certificate
from Thionville Laboratories, LLC, accompanies our shipper's consignments (example enclosed).
Would such a laboratory analysis certificate be considered a certificate issued by a "recognized
authority" and thus the shipment is not subject to the provisions of the IMDG Code if accompanied by
this or a similar certificate?
We have encountered a recent issue with the Chinese MSA (Maritime Safety Administration) in
Nansha. MSA authorities in Nansha have reported that they will not identify organizations like
Thionville Laboratories as a recognized authority because they are not listed in IMDG 7.9. Chinese
CNS (Chinese National Standards) GB12268-2012 classifies "Fish meal, stabilized" as UN2216,
IMDG Class 9 and there is no exemption or special provision of CNS similar to SP 928 to allow for
the shipment of stabilized fishmeal as non-hazardous cargo.
5701 Lake Wright Drive • Norfolk, VA 23502-1868 • Tel: (757) 961-2100 • Fax: (757) 961-2151
CMA CGM (America) LLC

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Subj: REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION OF SPECIAL PROVISION (SP) 928 OF THE
IMDG CODE
MSA officials have stated the possibility of an exemption, "if an official letter, interpretation or
certificate", from US DOT/PHMSA or the USCG stating that organizations like Thionville
Laboratories LLC can be classified as a recognized party to issue non-hazardous cargo certificates for
fishmeal.
Many thanks for your time and attention with this matter.
Sincerely,
c. Mathey
Chris Godfrey
Manager, Hazardous Department/Dangerous Cargo Office,
Norfolk Safety, Security & Environmental (SSE)/Compliance
CMA CGM (America) LLC
Legal Department
5701 Lake Wright Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
usa.cgodfrey@cma-cgm.com
Direct: 757-961-2665
Fax: 718-304-1577
Enclosure: Example Non-Hazardous Cargo Certificate
5701 Lake Wright Drive • Norfolk, VA 23502-1868 • Tel: (757) 961-2100 • Fax: (757) 961-2151
CMA CGM (America) LLC

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Official Weighers
and Inspectors For:
THIONVILLE
SOCIETAN OIL CHEMISTS®
Referee Chemists:
DISE PRODUCTE OF
PUBLIC WEIGHER,
Official Chemists:
THIONVILLE LABORATORIES, LLC
CHEMISTY INSTITUTE OF
PROCESS ATION
Independenl & Official Weighers, Samplers, Chemists
COCHAUBER OF
ASSOCIATE DERERS
N.O. BOARD OF TRADE
New Orleans, LA 70183-0687, U.S.A.
P.O. Box 23687
Now orlans, LA 19123, US.A.
FAX: (504) 733-6457
(504) 733-9603
operations@thionvillenola.com
AFTA & FOSFA Superintendent & Analys
AUGUST 19,2015
NON HAZARDOUS CARGOES CERTIFICAIE
OUR FILE NO.
COMMODITY
: 10160
: MENHADEN FISHMEAL
PORT OF LOADING
: NEW ORLEANS, LA: U.S.A.
LOT NUMBER
PORT OF DISCHARGE
: BEIJAO, CHINA
: P01E000103
PACKING
: 8 CONTAINERS IN BAGS
DATE OF PRODUCTION
: JULY 11, 2015
SAMPLED ON
: JULY 28, 2015
SAMPLED AT
: DAYBROOK FISHERIES, INC.
: THIONVILLE SURVEYING CO. LLC
136 DAYBROOK ROAD, EMPIRE, LA
SAMPLED BY
Analysis Results
The results of the analysis are as listed below:
TEST
AOCS METHOD
RESULES
Moisture
AOCS Ba 2-38
Fat
AOCS Ba 3-38
7.70 PCT
The Antinguin)
AOAC 996.13
524 PPM
9.62 PCT
Date of Production: JULY 11, 2015
Temperature of fishmeal was above 80°F at the time of leading.
Based upon the above analysis, we state the following:
"We certify to the best of our knowledge and belief, that at time of
meets the requirements set forth by the Code of Safe Practice for solid bulk
sampling, based upon the above analysis, that the condition of the product
cargoes (BC Code), 1998 Edition." Further, no self-heating properties when
THIONVILLE LABORAZORIES, LLC
Respectfully Submitted,
FILE NO. 10160
ТАВ/адр
LAB NO. G-22027
Deya Abutting
07/20/15 1615
Boyce H, Butler,
Laboratory Director
any inaccuracy or error in any report or certificate issued by Thionville or by its surveyors or other agents or employees, or any error of judgment, default, omission, negligence or breach of warranty
Neither Thionville nor its Officers, Directors or Committee members nor its surveyors, representatives or agents are under any circumstances whatsoever to be held responsible or legally liable lo
either express or implied, including warranty of workmanlike service, arising or allegedly arising out of services of Thionville, its surveyors or other employees, representatives or agents.
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