# EMD Electronics — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **operation:** document - **citation:** 25-0083 - **title:** EMD Electronics — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **source type:** guidance - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** guidance - **official:** true - **published on:** 2026-01-07 - **effective on:** Not available - **summary:** 25-0083 response to EMD Electronics concerning 172.101, 173.22. - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0083.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0083.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0083 - **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2026-01/250083.pdf **body:** <<>> 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration January 7, 2026 Jeanne Enaux Head of Product Compliance US EMD Electronics 116 Fairfield Road Princeton, NJ 08540 Reference No. 25-0083 Dear Ms. Enaux: This letter is in response to your June 23, 2025 email requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the term “surfactant” with respect to the use of “UN2927, Toxic liquid, corrosive, organic, n.o.s.” for solutions containing tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). You ask whether a surfactant includes all substances that can potentially accelerate dermal uptake, or if the term refers only to substances that have hydrophobic-hydrophilic capability. For the purposes of classifying a non-aqueous solution of TMAH, the HMR does not define the term “surfactant.” However, the term generally refers to amphiphilic substances (containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts), which reduce surface tension in liquids, and not the substances’ potential to accelerate dermal uptake. In accordance with § 173.22 of the HMR, it is the shipper’s responsibility to properly classify a hazardous material. Note that if a mixture contains a substance that can potentially accelerate dermal uptake, the shipper must use the classification criteria of the HMR to classify the mixture and then select a proper shipping name (e.g., UN2927, Toxic liquid, corrosive, organic, n.o.s.) in accordance with § 172.101(c)(10). I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Dirk DerKinderen Chief, Standards Development Branch Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> 25-0083 Casey From: Jeanne Enaux Sent: Monday, June 23, 2025 11:40 AM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Subject: LETTER OF INTERPRETATION REQUEST Good morning, We have an inquiry regarding the DG classification law and would appreciate your assistance in clarifying its requirements. Beginning of 2025 updated regulations for the transport of dangerous goods (IATA/IMDG) has been published and the implemented updates include a change in classification for TMAH (Tetramethylammonium hydroxide) and its solutions. The recognized toxicity of TMAH is going to be introduced for all existing proper shipping names along with the limitation to aqueous solutions. Additionally, a new proper shipping name (UN 3560) for aqueous solutions with >25% TMAH and classification criteria for other (non-aqueous) TMAH solutions are going to be introduced. We have a question about the non-aqueous solution. It is mentioned in the text Other formulation containing a surfactant > 1% and ≥ 8.75% TMAH à UN2927, toxic liquid, corrosive, PG I Other formulation containing a surfactant > 1% and > 2.38% - < 8.75% TMAH à UN2927, toxic liquid, corrosive, PG II <<>> We would like to get a letter of interpretation on the definition of the term “surfactant” in UN2927 classification? (Is it only substances that have hydrophobic-hydrophilic capability OR all substances that can potentially accelerate dermal uptake? Any other way the term should be defined?...) Thank you in advance for your help Regards Jeanne Enaux Head of Product Compliance US Email: Jeanne.enaux@emdgroup.com Post mail: 116 Fairfield Road, 08540 Princeton NJ, USA Tel: +18483130986 The Electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operates as EMD Electronics in the U.S. and Canada. 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