{"operation":"document","citation":"99-0304","title":"Keller & Heckman — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1999-12-16","effective_on":null,"summary":"99-0304 response to Keller & Heckman concerning 171.8.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0304.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0304.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0304","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990304.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\n400 Seventh Street. S.W.\nof Transportation\nWashington, D.C.\n20590\nResearch and\nSpecial Programs\nAdministration\nDEC 1 6 1999\nMs. K. Jain Hershberg\nRef. No.\n99-0304\nKeller\n& Heckman\nWashington, DC 20001\n1001 G Street, N.W.\nDear Ms. Hershberg:\nThis is in response to your letter of October 22, 1999,\nrequesting clarification of the definition for \"consumer\ncommodity\" as provided by § 171.8 of the Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask\nif a material that is suitable for retail sale meets the\ndefinition for consumer commodity even though it is not intended\nfor retail sale.\nThe answer is yes. In general terms, a consumer commodity is a\nmaterial that is packaged and distributed in a form intended or\nsuitable for retail sale and personal or household use.\nThis\ndefinition includes materials that are suitable for retail sale\neven if not specifically so intended and which may, in fact, be\nused in some other fashion.\nThe fact that the aerosol can may\ndisplay restrictive marketing information is not a factor in\nthis determination. This exception may be used by distributors\nas well as manufacturers.\nI hope this information is helpful.\nSinge\nrely,\n_Mae\nSenior Transportation Regulations Specialist i\nThomas G. Allan\nOffice of Hazardous Materials\nStandards\n990304\n171.8\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nTwitte\nLAW OFFICES\n$171.8 Consumer\nKELLER AND HECKMAN LIP\n1001G STREET. N.W.\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20001\nSUITE 500 WEST\nMILLETT\n100-0304\ncommodite\nUSSELL EPPS\nDANIELS. DIXLER, PM. D\nSCIENTIFIC STAF\nELSEN\nROBERT A. MATHEWS, PH. D., D.A.B.T.\nCHARLES V. BREDER. PH. D.\nTELEPHONE (202) 434-4100\nFACSIMILE: (202) 434-4846\nRENT MICKUM ON\nNONTFORTRO\nLOUGHLIN JR\nRSHBERG\nJOHN P. MODDERMAN. PM. D.\nHOLLY HUTMIRE FOLEY\n4066-398\nJANETTE HOUR, PH. U\nMARRAPESE\nHARRISON\nENBERRY\nLESTER BORODINSKY, PH.D.\nMICHAEL T. FLOOD, PH. D\nANNA GERGELY, PM. 0.0\nTHOMAS C. BROWN\nSK A. STEARNS\nDONATH\nROBERT I SCHEUPLEIN PH D.\nJUSTIN A FREDERICO, PH. D.\nSTEFANE M CORGIE!\nELIZABETH A HEGER\nRACHEL F. JOYNER\nWWW.TEZ.AW.COM\n•NOT ADMITTED IN D.C.\nORESIDENT BRUSSELS\nTELECOMMUNICATIONS\nRANDALL D. YOUNG\nBANGNASK\nWRITER'S DIRECT ACCESS\nOctober 22, 1999\n(202) 434-4251\nhershberg@khlaw.com\nDelmer F. Billings, Chief\nRegulations Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\nRSPA, U.S. Department of Transportation\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\nWashington, DC 20590\nRe:\nClarification\nDear Mr. Billings:\nWe are requesting clarification on the applicability of the \"consumer commodity\"\nclassification for the shipment of certain aerosol products by air. It is our understanding that the\nconsumer commodity designation is appropriate if (1) a material is packaged and distributed in a\nform intended or suitable for sale through sale agencies or instrumentalities for consumption by\nindividuals for purposes of personal or household use; (2) an aerosol does not exceed 17 fluid\nounces; and (3) the completed package does not exceed a gross mass of 25 kg.\nThe products at issue are aerosols intended for use as glass and metal cleaners, lubricants\nand degreasers. These products may be used by professionals, or in industrial applications; and\nthey also are suitable for home use (e.g., a home workshop) should they be sold through retail\nstores such as Trak Auto or Radio Shack.\nWe respectfully request your advice and opinion as to whether the products described\nabove qualify for the \"consumer commodity\" description under either or both of the following\ncircumstances:\n(i)\nIf the products are marked \"for professional and industrial use only,\" and/or\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nKELLER AND HECKMAN IIP\nDelmer F. Billings, Chief\nOctober 22, 1999\nPage 2\n(i)\nIf the offeror of the shipment is a distributor of the product rather than the\nmanufacturer.\nShould you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your\nimmediate attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.\nSincerely,\nthe bey\nK. Jain Hershberg","truncated":false,"body_characters":3938}