{"operation":"document","citation":"21-0052","title":"Amazon — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2021-07-29","effective_on":null,"summary":"21-0052 response to Amazon concerning 171.8, 173.185, 173.24, 173.24a, 173.25.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-21-0052.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-21-0052.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-21-0052","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/75696/210052.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nJuly 29, 2021\nMs. Marianna Patterson\nManager, Amazon Public Policy\nAmazon\n601 New Jersey Avenue, NW\nWashington, DC 20001\nReference No. 21-0052\nDear Ms. Patterson:\nThis letter is in response to your May 12, 2021, email and previous phone conversations\nrequesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)\napplicable to packaging of lithium batteries. Specifically, you ask whether a flexible overpack\ncan be used to transport smaller lithium cells or batteries contained in equipment, which are\npackaged in retail packaging. Furthermore, you indicate the retail packaging is sturdy, durable,\nconstructed to retain the contents under normal conditions of transportation, and meets the outer\npackaging requirements of § 173.185.\nThe answer is yes. The HMR defines an overpack (see § 171.8)—except as provided in subpart\nK of part 178—as “an enclosure that is used by a single consignor to provide protection or\nconvenience in handling of a package or to consolidate two or more packages.” Therefore, if the\nretail packaging meets the outer packaging requirements for smaller lithium cells or batteries\ncontained in equipment (i.e., packaging requirements of the HMR including §§ 173.24, 173.24a,\nand 173.185), the flexible packaging would meet the definition of an overpack.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nSee § 173.25 for additional overpack requirements.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDirk Der Kinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nGeller\n21-0052\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Subject: Date: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA); Hazmat Interps\nFW: Amazon Interpretation Letter Request\nWednesday, May 12, 2021 9:30:47 AM\nGood morning Alice,\nPlease see the request for a letter of interpretation below Shelby’s email to us. Shelby said she has\nbeen working with Marianna, and that it will need to be a formal letter of interpretation. Please\ncontact us with any questions.\nThank you,\nSarah (HMIC)\nFrom: Geller, Shelby (PHMSA)\nSent: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 9:21 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSubject: RE: Amazon Interpretation Letter Request\nHi HMIC,\nAlthough not clear, please log the email Marianna just sent as an interp. her and I know this is what she wants.\nWe have been working with\nThanks,\nShelby Geller\nRegulatory Transportation Specialist, OHMS Standards & Rulemaking\nUSDOT, PHMSA\n1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590\nOffice: 202-366-3658\nFrom: Patterson, Marianna [mailto:pattema@amazon.com]\nSent: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 9:15 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nCc: Geller, Shelby (PHMSA) <shelby.geller@dot.gov>; Kelley, Shane (PHMSA)\n<shane.kelley@dot.gov>; Miller, Kaleigh <kalmil@amazon.com>; Henisse, Mike\n<mhenisse@amazon.com>\nSubject: Amazon Interpretation Letter Request\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or\nopen attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nGood Morning,\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nPlease confirm the following per our phone conversation: considering that retail packaging is sturdy,\ndurable, and constructed to retain the contents under normal conditions of transportation, an\nadditional over-wrap (i.e. poly bag, padded mailer, jiffy, etc.) is compliant with US DOT regulations.\nThanks\n-Marianna\nMarianna Patterson\nManager, Amazon Public Policy\n601 New Jersey Ave NW\nWashington, DC 20001\nTel: (202) 442-2997\nCell: (773) 615-0285\nEmail: pattema@amazon.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":3709}