{"operation":"document","citation":"23-0071","title":"Council on the Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2023-09-18","effective_on":null,"summary":"23-0071 response to Council on the Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles concerning 178.503.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0071.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0071.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0071","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-05/230071.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nSeptember 18, 2023\nL’Gena Shaffer\nDirector, Regulatory Compliance\nCouncil on the Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles\n101 Ridge Street, Suite I\nGlens Falls, NY 12801\nReference No. 23-0071\nDear Ms. Shaffer:\nThis letter is in response to your August 18, 2023, letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the use of a comma in place\nof a decimal point in the United Nations (UN) specification packaging marking when used for\ndescribing the specific gravity on a packaging. In your letter, you provide an image of a United\nNations (UN) specification packaging marking and ask whether the decimal comma in “/Y1,6/”\nis acceptable to represent the specific gravity of 1.6.\nThe answer is yes. The HMR do not specifically authorize or prohibit the use of the decimal\ncomma. Additionally, the decimal comma is commonly used in international commerce, and the\nintent of the UN performance packaging system - to include the UN specification package\nmarking - is to facilitate both domestic and international commerce. Therefore, this Office would\nnot consider use of the decimal comma to be a violation of the provisions of the HMR.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nShane C. Kelley\nDirector,\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<>>\n\nJacobson\n23-0071\nFrom: Foster, Glenn (PHMSA)\nTo: Jones, Jessie Jane CTR (PHMSA)\nCc: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA)\nSubject: FW: PHMSA interpretation on European indicators for decimal place\nDate: Thursday, August 3, 2023 4:05:43 PM\nAttachments: image001.png\nimage002.png\nimage003.png\n8.4.2023 COSTHA LOI European indicators for decimal place.pdf\nJessie,\nHere you go.\nFrom: L'Gena Shaffer \nSent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 2:45 PM\nTo: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA) \nCc: Andrews, Steven (PHMSA) ; Tom Ferguson ; Chris\nYakush ; Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) ; L'Gena Shaffer\n\nSubject: RE: PHMSA interpretation on European indicators for decimal place\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is\nsafe.\nShane,\nPlease find attached a formal letter of interpretation request for your consideration.\nBest regards,\nL’Gena Shaffer, CDGP\nDirector, Regulatory Compliance\nCOSTHA\nhttps://www.costha.com/\nFrom: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA) \nSent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 12:30 PM\nTo: L'Gena Shaffer ; Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) \nCc: Andrews, Steven (PHMSA) ; Tom Ferguson ; Chris\nYakush ; L'Gena Shaffer \nSubject: Re: PHMSA interpretation on European indicators for decimal place\nGreat. You can send it directly to me and I’ll help expedite.\nFrom: L'Gena Shaffer \nSent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 12:26:17 PM\nTo: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA) ; Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) \n\n<<>>\n\nCc: Andrews, Steven (PHMSA) ; Tom Ferguson ; Chris\nYakush ; L'Gena Shaffer \nSubject: RE: PHMSA interpretation on European indicators for decimal place\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is\nsafe.\nThank you Shane, we appreciate your response.\nWe will be submitting a formal letter of interpretation request under separate cover.\nRegards,\nL’Gena Shaffer, CDGP\nDirector, Regulatory Compliance\nCOSTHA\nhttps://www.costha.com/\nFrom: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA) \nSent: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 2:58 PM\nTo: L'Gena Shaffer ; Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) \nCc: Andrews, Steven (PHMSA) ; Tom Ferguson ; Chris\nYakush ; L'Gena Shaffer \nSubject: Re: PHMSA interpretation on European indicators for decimal place\nI’m of the opinion this is an acceptable internationally recognized format that introduces no safety\nconcerns, but welcome the comments of others on this chain. Unfortunately this may be a\ndiscretionary area managed at the inspector level as - unless I am missing a cite my team can point to\n- it is not specifically addressed. If an interp would help, and we don’t have one on record, the team\nwas just remarking to me today that the interp stack is getting low and we could use a new request or\ntwo.\nFrom: L'Gena Shaffer \nSent: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 2:48:13 PM\nTo: Kelley, Shane (PHMSA) ; Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) \nCc: Andrews, Steven (PHMSA) ; Tom Ferguson ; Chris\nYakush ; L'Gena Shaffer \nSubject: FW: PHMSA interpretation on European indicators for decimal place\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is\nsafe.\nGood Afternoon PHMSA,\nCOSTHA is evaluating some outstanding inquires to PHMSA and we are following up on this\n\n<<>>\n\nrequest from November 2022.\nA COSTHA member purchased UN specification packaging (specification mark pictured\nbelow) that identifies the gross weight indicator with a European indicator of a “comma” and\nnot a decimal point (e.g., 1,6 vs. 1.6).\nThe member is concerned this packaging will not be accepted for transport and/or that US\ninspectors (including FAA inspectors and thus airlines), may not recognize the gross weight\nindicator with a European indictor of a “comma” and not a decimal point.\nWe were unable to identify any letters of interpretation to provide clear guidance.\nIs this acceptable?\nWe appreciate your review and response.\nRegards,\nL’Gena Shaffer, CDGP\nDirector, Regulatory Compliance\nCOSTHA\nhttp://www.costha.com\nlgena@costha.com\nDirect: 518-761-0389 Extn. 206\nCOSTHA Office: 518-761-0389\nF: 518-792-7781\n-- -- -- -- --\nFollow us on LinkedIn\nFollow us on Instagram (@costha1972)\nENGAGE IN YOUR COSTHA MEMBERSHIP: Upcoming Events, Meetings, & Webinars\n\n<<>>\n\n-- -- -- -- --\nCONFIDENTIAL: UNAUTHORIZED USE OR DISCLOSURE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.\nThis information is intended to provide interpretative and authoritative information in regard to the subject\nmatter covered as a service to our clients and has been answered to the best of our ability based on the\ninformation provided to us. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such interpretation\nor information, however, nor do we warrant that compliance with any advice we provide will guarantee\ncompliance with any legal or regulatory requirements. Our statements or opinions do not convey legal\ninterpretation and government authorities or legal counsel should be contacted for such a response.\nFrom: Tom Ferguson \nSent: Thursday, November 10, 2022 4:42 PM\nTo: shane.kelley@dot.gov\nCc: L'Gena Shaffer ; Chris Yakush \nSubject: PHMSA interpretation on European indicators for decimal place\nShane,\nWe have not found any letters of interpretation on the topic and nothing that provides any clear\nguidance in 49 CFR.\nPlease take a look at the picture below:\n\n<<>>\n\nYou will notice the tested gross weight of the package is indicated as 1,6. The are mean this to\nindicate that it was tested and certified to 1.6 kg. However, they have used the European indication\nfor a decimal place.\nIs this acceptable in the US? The member company that has purchased this package is very concerned\nthat US inspectors (including FAA inspectors and thus airlines), may not recognize the indicator and\nthus would not accept it for transport.\nAny direction would be greatly appreciated!\nBest Regards,\nTom Ferguson, PG, CHMM, DGSA\nAdministrator and Chief Technical Officer\nCouncil On Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA)\nTom@costha.com\nO: 518-761-0389\nF: 518-792-7781\nFollow us on LinkedIn\n50 Years | A Celebration of Success\n\n<<>>\n\n-- -- -- -- --\nThis information is intended to provide interpretative and authoritative information in regard\nto the subject matter covered as a service to our clients and has been answered to the best\nof our ability based on the information provided to us. We do not guarantee the accuracy or\ncompleteness of any such interpretation or information, however, nor do we warrant that\ncompliance with any advice we provide will guarantee compliance with any legal or\nregulatory requirements. Our statements or opinions do not convey legal interpretation and\ngovernment authorities or legal counsel should be contacted for such a response.\n\n<<>>\n\nRichard Schweitzer, PLLC\nAugust 3, 2023\nPresident\nDan Hankinson\nProgram Manager\nMr. Shane Kelley\nDirector, Standards and Rulemaking Division\nStellantis\nFirst Vice President\nJanet Kolodziey-Nykolyn\nDir. Global Dangerous Goods Compliance\nPfizer, Inc.\nSecond Vice President\nU.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor\nWashington, DC 20590 USA\nCarolyn Weintraub\nDir. Regulatory & Government Affairs US\nReckitt\nTreasurer\nVeronica Wilson\nDirector, HM Transportation\nWal-Mart, Inc\nSecretary\nDave Madsen\nReg. Compliance Specialist - Americas\nAutoliv ASP, Inc.\nExecutive Committee\nSamuel Moyers\nDirector of Transportation Safety\nARCADIS\nBoard of Directors\nAmy Fischesser\nCorporate Hazardous Materials Manager\nSun Chemical Corporation\nBarbara Lantry-Miller\nDirector, DG and Controlled Products\nGivaudan Flavors & Fragrances\nJon Pelis\nSr. Manager, Dangerous Goods / Product\nRegulatory Compliance\nThe Boeing Company\nJohn Redman\nManager, TMNA Hazmat Compliance\nToyota Motor North America, Inc.\nLynn Reiman\nGlobal Regulated DG Director\nUPS\ncc: infocntr@dot.gov\nDear Mr. Kelley:\nThe Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles, Inc. (COSTHA) requests a formal\nletter of interpretation regarding the use of the European gross weight indicator of a “comma”\nin place of a decimal point in a UN Specification packaging mark.\nIn the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) §178.503(a)(4) states:\nA designation of the specific gravity or mass for which the packaging design type\nhas been tested, as follows:\n(i) For packagings without inner packagings intended to contain liquids, the\ndesignation shall be the specific gravity rounded down to the first decimal but may\nbe omitted when the specific gravity does not exceed 1.2; and\n(ii) For packagings intended to contain solids or inner packagings, the designation\nshall be the maximum gross mass in kilograms;\n…\nCOSTHA specifically requests an interpretation as to whether a package marking identifying\nthe gross weight indicator with a European indicator of a “comma” and not a decimal point\n(e.g., 1,6 vs. 1.6) is authorized for use under the HMR.\nFor Example:\nJennifer Stokes\nRegulatory Manager\nProcter & Gamble\nWim Verkuringen\nDirector DG & Transportation Safety\nJohnson & Johnson\nMike Wentz\nCOSTHA appreciates your review of this interpretation request, and we look forward to\nhearing from you soon.\nSincerely,\nManager, Dangerous Goods Compliance\nAmerican Airlines\nGeneral Counsel\nRichard Schweitzer, PLLC\nL’Gena Shaffer\nDirector, Regulatory Compliance\nCOSTHA\nwww.costha.com\nlgena@costha.com\nCouncil on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles\n101 Ridge Street, Suite I, Glens Falls, NY 12801 • Phone: (518)761-0389 • Fax: (518)792-7781 • www.costha.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":11854}