{"operation":"document","citation":"98-0597","title":"The Association of Container Reconditioners — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1998-05-04","effective_on":null,"summary":"98-0597 response to The Association of Container Reconditioners concerning 178.503.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0597.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0597.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0597","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980597.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\nResearch and\nSpecial Programs\nAdministration\nMAY\n4 1998\nMr. Paul Rankin, President\nThe Association of Container Reconditioners\n8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 140\n•\nLandover, MD 20785-2224\nDear Mr. Rankin:\nThis is in response to your letter of May 28, 1997, and your telephone conversation with Mr.\nCharles Betts of my staff, requesting clarification on the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR;\n49 CFR Parts 171-180) concerning the modification of markings displayed on a durable\npreprinted label and affixed to the side of a reconditioned steel drum. You state that drum\nreconditioners stock the more commonly used markings (i.e., preprinted labels). Sometimes\nslightly different markings are needed for a reconditioned drum. You ask whether a reconditioner\ncan use an indelible marker to change the preprinted markings to show a higher performance\ncapability provided that the altered markings never exceed the manufacturer's permanent mark,\nfor example, changing the preprinted marking \"UN 1A1/Y1.2/100\" to read \"UN 1A1/Y1.4/100.\"\nThe answer is yes. Using a permanent ink to alter the markings on the label is acceptable if the\nrequirements specified in § 178.3 (a)(3) for permanency, contrast, and legibility are met.\nHowever, you should be aware that a manual change to a printed label may be viewed with\nsuspicion by persons using, handling or inspecting the drums. Also, as you stated and as\nprescribed by § 173.24 (c)(4), in no case may the markings applied by the reconditioner identify a\ngreater performance capability than that marked on the drum by the manufacturer.\nI hope this information is helpful. Should you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact\nUS.\nSincerely,\nDirector, Office of Hazardous\nMaterials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nRECONDITION\nThe Association of\nContainer Reconditioners\nDile: 178.503\n354\n5\n50.318,\n\"Responsible Container Management\"\nPIESE\nMay 28, 1997\nEdward T. Mazzullo, Director\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\nDepartment of Transportation\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nDear Mr. Mazzullo,\nOn behalf of the Association of Container Reconditioners (ACR), I am writing to request\nwritten confirmation of an oral interpretation we recently received from RSPA with respect to the\nmodification of durable side labels on steel drums.\nBecause reconditioner's customers sometimes require markings that are slightly different\nfrom commonly stocked durable adhesive markings (i.e., labels), ACR is interested in clarifying\nthe legality of label modification.\nOn May 27, 1997, Dana Worcester of ACR spoke with Charles Betts, DOT\nTransportation Regulation Specialist. She asked the following: provided the durable mark never\nexceeds the permanent mark, could, following reconditioning, the reconditioner's standard UN\n1A1/Y1.2/100 adhesive marking be changed by the reconditioner with an indelible marker to a\n\"higher level\" e.g., UN 1A1/Y1.4/100? Mr. Betts advised the marking would be legal, provided\nthat the new marking provides the permanency, contrast and legibility so as to be read and easily\nunderstood as required in 178.503 (a) (3).\nWe believe this interpretation is correct, however, since the situation has arisen several\ntimes, we would appreciate your confirmation of this view.\nincerely\nPail Pantai\nPaul Rankin\nletle in train Sit in te\nPresident\nCC:\nLarry Bierlein\nElliot Pearlman\n8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 140 • Landover, MD 20785-2224 • TEL (301) 577-3786/FAX (301) 577-6476\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nEECONDTION\n:2002\nThe Association of\n: i.t\nContainer Reconditioners\nN231:\n1331.\nCLE\nLandover, MD 20785-2224\n8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 140\n\"Responsible Container Management\"\nEdward T. Mazzullo, Director\nResearch & Special Programs Adminis\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Stand\nDepartment of Transportation\nWashington, DC\n20590-0001\n* Printed on Rocycied Papor","truncated":false,"body_characters":3893}