{"operation":"document","citation":"25-0093","title":"Top Patch — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2026-02-26","effective_on":null,"summary":"25-0093 response to Top Patch concerning 173.150.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0093.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0093.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0093","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2026-02/25-0093.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nFebruary 26, 2026\nJack Miltz\nTop Patch\n5196 Le Tourneau Circle\nTampa, FL 33610\nReference No. 25-0093\nDear Mr. Miltz:\nThis letter is in response to your June 10, 2025 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to United Nations (UN)\nspecification packaging. Specifically, you ask whether a 23 lb. mixture that contains 8 lbs. of\n“UN1866 Resin solution, combustible liquid, PG III” is required to be packaged in a UN\nspecification 5-gallon pail?\nNo, provided your material has been properly reclassed as a combustible liquid and does not\nmeet the definition of a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, or marine pollutant. As specified\nin § 173.150(f)(1), a flammable liquid with a flash point at or above 38 °C (100 °F) that does not\nmeet the definition of any other hazard class may be reclassed as a combustible liquid when\ntransported by ground. Furthermore, § 173.150(f)(2) states that a combustible liquid in a non-\nbulk packaging is not subject to the HMR unless it is a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, or\nmarine pollutant.\nYou also mention in your request that you ship one plastic bottle containing 180 g of “UN3104\nOrganic Peroxide, Type C, Solid, 5.2 (Benzoyl Peroxide)” per 5-gallon pail. Please note that this\nis a fully regulated material and, therefore, the bottles must comply with all applicable\nrequirements of the HMR\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nAlexander Wolcott\nActing Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nMr. Shane Kelley\n25-0093\nDirector, Standards and Rulemaking Division\nJacobson, N.\nU.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor\nWashington, DC 20590\n6/10/2025\nRE: Letter of Interpretation\nMr Kelley-\nWe are a small manufacturer located in Tampa, FL. We make a pavement repair product\ncalled \"Top Patch\" (www.Top-Patch.com)\nWe ship the material mostly LTL, in 5-gallon UN pails, on pallets, stretch wrapped.\nThere is 1.92 gallons (23 LBS) of Top Patch material in the pail.\nOut of the 23 LBS of Top Patch in the 5-gallon pail:\n8 LBS are UN 1866 Resin solution, combustible liquid, PGIII (MMA)\n8.85 LBS Calcium Carbonate\n6.65 LBS sand\nLess than ½ LB of suspension agent, pigment.\nWe ship separately, in small plastic bottles, 180 grams UN 3104, Organic Peroxide, Type C,\nSolid, NOS Benzoy! Peroxide - one each for the same number of 5-gallon pails.\nA number of truck drivers have commented that they do not think we need to ship in UN\npails, due to small quantities. However, I know we need a more solid answer.\nCould I get a letter of interpretation?\nThank you for your help,\nJack Miltz\nTop Patch\n5196 Le Tourneau Circle\nTampa, FL 33610\n239-778-6191 cell\nwww.Top-Patch.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":2981}