{"operation":"document","citation":"18-0133","title":"The Sulphur Institute — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2019-03-06","effective_on":null,"summary":"18-0133 response to The Sulphur Institute concerning 172.101, 172.325.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0133.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0133.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0133","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/70856/180133.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nMAR O 6 2019\nMr. Craig Jorgenson\nVice President, Transportation and Regulatory Affairs\nThe Sulphur Institute\n1020 19th Street NW, Suite 520\nWashington, DC 20036\nReference No. 18-0133\nDear Mr. Jorgenson:\nThis letter is in response to your October 22, 2018, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the use of\nalternative spellings for proper shipping names as outlined in § 172.101 ( c )( 1 ). You seek to\nclarify that the alternate spellings apply to Subparts A through I, and are inclusive of Appendices\nA through Din Part 172 and all parts of Subchapter C. Specifically, you ask if\"sulfur\" and\n\"sulphur\" are equally acceptable spellings for use on shipping papers, labels, and markings for\nhazardous materials packages.\nThe answer to your question is yes, so long as whichever alternative spelling is used to identify\nthe hazardous material, is used consistently. Section 172.l0l(c)(l) states that words may be\nalternatively spelled in the same manner as they appear in the International Civil Aviation\nOrganization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air\nor the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and provides the example that\n\"sulfur\" may be spelled \"sulphur.\" These instructions for the purpose and scope of the\nHazardous Materials Table (HMT; §.172.101) serve as the basis for all hazardous materials\ncommunication in Part 172, to include shipping papers, marking, labeling, and placarding. Even\nthough the specific example of \"sulphur\" as an alternative spelling to \"sulfur\" is not continually\nused throughout the HMR-including in the bulk packaging marking requirements for elevated\ntemperature materials in§ 172.325(b)-these alternative spellings are recognized for all\nhazardous materials communications.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nL~\n§ / os. 2 o (o.') l <1)\nTHE\nSULPHUR\nINSTITUTE\nl<? - 0\\2>3\nOctober 22, 2018\nMr. Shane Kelley\nStandards and Rulemaking Division, Attn: PHH-10\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nU.S. Department of Transportation, East Building\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nDear Mr. Kelley,\nThe Sulphur Institute (TSI) is requesting your office provide an interpretation regarding the use\nof allowable alternative spellings for proper shipping names as outlined in 49 CFR §\n172.101(c)(1). Specifically, we would like to clarify that \"sulfur\" <\n1l and \"sulphur'' are equally\nacceptable spellings for use on shipping papers as well as labeling and markings for hazardous\nmaterial packages.\nThe general provisions of Subpart A to Part 172 of the Hazardous Materials Regulation (HMR)\noutlined in 49 CFR § 172.1, \"prescribes the requirements for shipping papers, package marking,\nlabeling, and transport vehicle placarding applicable to the shipment and transportation of those\nhazardous materials.\"\nShippers, offerers, carriers, as well as state and federal inspectors, may misinterpret the earlier\nreferences to alternative spellings to proper shipping names if solely referencing a single citation\nfor markings that apply to elevated temperature materials. The example in §172.325 shows only\none spelling for \"sulfur'' without the acceptable alternative spelling of \"sulphur'' referenced earlier\nin§ 172.101(c)(1).\nWe appreciate your assistance in clarifying that an alternate spelling for proper shipping names\napplies to Subpart A through Subpart I and inclusive of Appendices A through D in Part 172, as\nwell as a// parts of Subchapter C of the HMR.\nIf you have any questions, I can be reached at cjorgenson@sulphurinstitute.org or 202-296-\n2794. Thank you.\nSincerely,\n/) 1\nC/vAJ ~ Y? -\n/, l\nCraig Jergens n\nVice President, Transportation and Regulatory Affairs\nThe Sulphur Institute\n(l) Listed in 49 § CFR 172.101 , Hazardous Materials Table under UN2448 and UN1350\n1020 19th Street NW• Suite 520 • Washington, DC 20036 • T: +1 202 331 9660 • F: +1202293 2940 • www.Sulphurlnstitute.org\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nFrom: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA)\nSent: To:\nCc:\nMonday, October 22, 2018 4:15 PM\nJanuary, Ikeya CTR (PHMSA); Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nNickels, Matthew (PHMSA)\nSubject: Fwd: Request for Interpretation\nAttachments: TSI Request for Interpretation.pdf\nThanks\nFrom: Craig Jorgenson <cjorgenson@sulphurinstitute.org>\nSent: Monday, October 22, 2018 4:01 PM\nTo: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA)\nCc: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSubject: Request for Interpretation\nGood afternoon Shane,\nPlease find the attached request for interpretation for allowable alternative spellings for proper shipping names on\nshipping papers as well as for the labeling and marking of packages per the HMR.\nIn accordance with 49 CFR 105.20(a)(4), we have also mailed your office a copy of this letter.\nThank you for your assistance in this matter.\nRegards,\nCraig\nCraig Jorgenson\nThe Sulphur Institute\n1020 19th Street NW, Suite 520\nWashington, DC 20036 (USA)\nDirect Telephone: +1 202 296 2794\nWebsite: www.sulphurinstitute.org\n1","truncated":false,"body_characters":5320}