{"operation":"document","citation":"25-0124","title":"The Whitaker Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2026-04-23","effective_on":null,"summary":"25-0124 response to The Whitaker Company concerning 173.241.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0124.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0124.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0124","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2026-04/25-0124.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nApril 23, 2026\nMr. Johnny Johnson\nThe Whitaker Company\n1557 Marietta Road NW\nAtlanta, GA 30318\nReference No. 25-0124\nDear Mr. Johnson:\nThis is in response to your September 17, 2025, letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the transportation of Class 9\nhazardous materials in a bulk packaging. Specifically, you ask—when transported by ground—\nmay a hazardous materials described as a Class 9 be offered for transportation in packagings that\nyou describe as non-specification intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), i.e., bulk packagings that\nare not constructed in accordance with 49 CFR Part 178, Subparts N and O of the HMR?\nYes. When a hazardous material listed in the § 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table (HMT)\nreferences § 173.241 for bulk packaging, the material may be transported in “non-DOT\nspecification portable tanks suitable for transport of liquids.” Therefore, a bulk packaging that\nresembles an IBC but does not meet a Department of Transportation (DOT) specification may be\nconsidered a “non-DOT specification portable tank” provided it meets the definition of a bulk\npackaging in § 171.8 and is suitable for the transportation of liquids.\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\nPollack, A.\n25-0124\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Baker, Yul (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Request for a letter of interpretation -- IBC Class 9 Domestic Shipment in IBCs\nDate: Friday, September 19, 2025 11:31:27\nAttachments: image001.png\nImportance: High\nHi Yul,\nPlease see the below interpretation request.\nThe phone number is 404-605-8797 and the mailing address is 1557 Marietta Road NW\nAtlanta, Georgia.\nLet us know if you need anything.\nJanaye\nFrom: Johnny Johnson <Johnny.Johnson@whitaker.company>\nSent: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 3:28 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nCc: Meka Martin <Meka.Martin@whitaker.company>\nSubject: Request for a letter of interpretation -- IBC Class 9 Domestic Shipment in IBCs\nImportance: High\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\nis safe.\nDear Sir or Madam\nA request for clarification. Had a driver ask about placarding of IBC’s on a cargo trailer that once\nheld a hazardous substance being ship to a reconditioner. While I was looking thru letters of\ninterpretation I ran across --- REF. NO. 14-0173\nThe question was asked on 14-0173\nQ2: “Is a DOT specification cargo tank motor vehicle required to transport this material, or may a\nnon-DOT specification cargo tank motor vehicles be used?”\nA2: “No, a DOT specification cargo tank is not required.”\nSo, my question is since a non-code/Non-DOT specification cargo maybe be used for a bulk Class 9\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nshipping domestically. May a non-certified or non-performance rated IBC be used in shipping a\ndomestic, ground transportation of a class 9 material?\nLooking forward to your answer – Thanks in advance.\nRespectfully\nJohnny Johnson\nFleet Compliance and Safety\nThe Whitaker Company\nAtlanta Georgia","truncated":false,"body_characters":3466}