{"operation":"document","citation":"26-0026","title":"O.D.O.T. Commerce and Compliance Division — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2026-04-02","effective_on":null,"summary":"26-0026 response to O.D.O.T. Commerce and Compliance Division concerning 172.203, 172.301, 172.326, 172.328.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0026.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0026.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0026","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2026-04/26-0026.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 2, 2026\nMr. Andrew Zikmund\nCompliance Specialist\nO.D.O.T. Commerce and Compliance Division\n5920 Highway\n30 Huntington, OR 97907\nReference No. 26-0026\nDear Ms. Zikmund:\nThis letter is in response to your February 17, 2026 email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the shipping\npaper and marking requirements of non-odorized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1. Does the requirement in § 172.203(p) to enter the word “non-odorized” or “not-odorized”\non a shipping paper apply to non-odorized shipments of “UN1011, Butane,” “UN1978,\nPropane,” and “UN1077, Propylene”?\nA1. Yes. LPG includes gases composed predominantly of the following either by themselves\nor as mixtures: butane, isobutane, propane, propylene (propene), butylenes (butenes).1\nSection 172.203(p) states that the word “non-odorized” or “not-odorized” must be\nincluded in association with the proper shipping description on a shipping paper when\nnon-odorized LPG is offered for transportation. If the non-odorized gas or gas mixture\nmeets the definition of LPG, then the shipping description must include “non-odorized”\nor “not-odorized” regardless of whether the assigned proper shipping name is specifically\n“Petroleum gases, liquefied or Liquefied petroleum gas.”\nQ2. Does the marking requirement for “NON-ODORIZED” or “NOT ODORIZED” apply to\nthese specific gases when offered in cylinders, portable tanks, or cargo tanks?\nA2. Yes. The marking requirements in § 172.301(f) for cylinders, § 172.326(d) for portable\ntanks, and § 172.328(e) for cargo tanks apply to any non-odorized gas or gas mixture that\nmeets the definition of LPG. Just as with the shipping paper requirements, if the LPG is\n1 49 FR 64462, 64463 (Nov. 4, 2004).\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\noffered for transportation without odorization, the package must be marked “NON-\nODORIZED” or “NOT ODORIZED” as specified in the applicable section.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDirk Der Kinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nCardez, E.\n26-0026\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Baker, Yul (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Request for letter of interpretation\nDate: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 16:09:43\nGood afternoon,\nPlease see the below interpretation request.\nThe mailing address is:\nODOT C.C.D. attn: Andrew Zikmund\n5920 Highway 30\nHuntington, OR 97907\nLet us know if you need anything,\nJanaye\nFrom: ZIKMUND Andrew G <Andrew.G.ZIKMUND@odot.oregon.gov>\nSent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 6:15 PM\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter <PHMSAHMInfoCenter@dot.gov>\nSubject: Request for letter of interpretation\nYou don't often get email from andrew.g.zikmund@odot.oregon.gov. Learn why this is important\nInfo Center:\nThis is a request for a written interpretation of the applicability of certain regulations\nas they apply to shipments of non-odorized liquefied petroleum gas.\n1. 49CFR part 172.203(p) requires the word “non-odorized” or “not-odorized” to be\nentered in association with the proper shipping description on a shipping paper\nwhen non-odorized LPG is offered for transportation. Would part 172.203(p)\napply also to non-odorized shipments of: UN1011, Butane, 2.1? non-odorized\nshipments of UN1978 propane, 2.1? and non-odorized shipments of UN1077\nPropylene, 2.1?\n2. I would ask the same question with regards to 49CFR part 172..301(f) for\ncylinder marking , 172.326(d) for portable tank marking and 172.328(e) for\ncargo tank marking.\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nThank you for your assistance with these questions.\nAndrew Zikmund\nCompliance Specialist\nO.D.O.T. Commerce and Compliance Division\nPhone: (541) 207-5294 Fax: (541) 869-2026","truncated":false,"body_characters":3941}