{"operation":"document","citation":"23-0098","title":"Consolidated Container Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-04-24","effective_on":null,"summary":"23-0098 response to Consolidated Container Company concerning 173.28.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0098.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0098.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0098","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-05/230098.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nApril 24, 2024\nWilliam Dworsky\nPresident\nConsolidated Container Company\n109 27th Ave NE\nMinneapolis, MN 55418\nReference No. 23-0098\nDear Mr. Dworsky:\nThis letter is in response to your November 2, 2023, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the attachment of\n“label plates” on repaired and/or remanufactured Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs). In your\nemail, you provide a picture of a United Nations (UN) 31HA1 composite IBC with a “label\nplate” screwed into the steel outer packaging surrounding the plastic inner receptacle. It is your\nunderstanding that when a new “label plate” is installed on an IBC, it should be done in a manner\nthat does not affect the integrity of the package.\nYour understanding is correct. While the HMR do not specifically state that “label plates”—or\nany other hazard communication—cannot be screwed into the steel outer packaging surrounding\nthe plastic inner receptacle of a composite IBC, § 173.28(a) states that “before reuse, each\npackaging must be inspected and may not be reused unless free from incompatible residue,\nrupture, or other damage which reduces its structural integrity.”\nBased solely on the picture provided in your email, it is not possible to determine whether the\nscrews in the steel outer packaging have affected the integrity of the composite IBC. However, if\nyou have evidence that the screws have affected the integrity of the composite IBC, this would\nnot be an acceptable method for attaching “label plates.” Please note that this letter only\naddresses the effect that screwing the “label plate” into the outer cage has on the integrity of the\ncomposite IBC pictured in your email and does not address the marking requirements associated\nwith this composite IBC.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nSteven Andrews\nActing Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nLarson\n23-0098\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Interpretation Request\nDate: Friday, November 3, 2023 11:38:37 AM\nAttachments: image001.png\nimage004.png\nimage005.png\nimage006.png\nHi Alice,\nPlease see the below interpretation request.\nLet me know if you need anything.\nRegards,\n-Breanna\nFrom: William Dworsky <wdworsky@containerexperts.com>\nSent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 10:10 AM\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter <PHMSAHMInfoCenter@dot.gov>\nSubject: Interpretation Request\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you\nrecognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nGood Morning,\nTo whom this may concern,\nWe are seeking an interpretation on the proper reattachment of plaquard plates on Repaired/Remanufactured IBC’s.\nAs you can see in the below picture, this company applied a new label plate using screws into the cage.\nWe are of the understanding that when installing a new label plate, its done in a manner that doesn’t change the integrirty of the orginal package\n(IE. Zip ties or rebending the plate around the bars).\nLooking forward to your intrepretation of this question.\nRespectfully,\nWilliam Dworsky\nPresident\n109 27th Ave NE\nMinneapolis, MN 55418\n612.706-2174 Direct\n612.781.0967 Fax\n612.670.1985 Cell\nwww.containerexperts.com\nThis message (including any attachments) is confidential and intended for a specific individual and purpose. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and destroy all\ncopies of this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nGal.\n1,450 kg MAX\nUSA/ M6 188\nkpa/ /\nCheck-Up:\nInspection:\n10/22\nDuring Transport\nDIXICHLOR MAX\nLOT8810410280\nCORROSIVE\nMATIER GLENNY\nUN1791\nICS\nSERVIC\nTCS-11795","truncated":false,"body_characters":4198}