# Keller & Heckman — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **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:** Not available
- **summary:** 99-0304 response to Keller & Heckman concerning 171.8.
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- **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>>>

U.S. Department
400 Seventh Street. S.W.
of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
DEC 1 6 1999
Ms. K. Jain Hershberg
Ref. No.
99-0304
Keller
& Heckman
Washington, DC 20001
1001 G Street, N.W.
Dear Ms. Hershberg:
This is in response to your letter of October 22, 1999,
requesting clarification of the definition for "consumer
commodity" as provided by § 171.8 of the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask
if a material that is suitable for retail sale meets the
definition for consumer commodity even though it is not intended
for retail sale.
The answer is yes. In general terms, a consumer commodity is a
material that is packaged and distributed in a form intended or
suitable for retail sale and personal or household use.
This
definition includes materials that are suitable for retail sale
even if not specifically so intended and which may, in fact, be
used in some other fashion.
The fact that the aerosol can may
display restrictive marketing information is not a factor in
this determination. This exception may be used by distributors
as well as manufacturers.
I hope this information is helpful.
Singe
rely,
_Mae
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist i
Thomas G. Allan
Office of Hazardous Materials
Standards
990304
171.8

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Twitte
LAW OFFICES
$171.8 Consumer
KELLER AND HECKMAN LIP
1001G STREET. N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
SUITE 500 WEST
MILLETT
100-0304
commodite
USSELL EPPS
DANIELS. DIXLER, PM. D
SCIENTIFIC STAF
ELSEN
ROBERT A. MATHEWS, PH. D., D.A.B.T.
CHARLES V. BREDER. PH. D.
TELEPHONE (202) 434-4100
FACSIMILE: (202) 434-4846
RENT MICKUM ON
NONTFORTRO
LOUGHLIN JR
RSHBERG
JOHN P. MODDERMAN. PM. D.
HOLLY HUTMIRE FOLEY
4066-398
JANETTE HOUR, PH. U
MARRAPESE
HARRISON
ENBERRY
LESTER BORODINSKY, PH.D.
MICHAEL T. FLOOD, PH. D
ANNA GERGELY, PM. 0.0
THOMAS C. BROWN
SK A. STEARNS
DONATH
ROBERT I SCHEUPLEIN PH D.
JUSTIN A FREDERICO, PH. D.
STEFANE M CORGIE!
ELIZABETH A HEGER
RACHEL F. JOYNER
WWW.TEZ.AW.COM
•NOT ADMITTED IN D.C.
ORESIDENT BRUSSELS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
RANDALL D. YOUNG
BANGNASK
WRITER'S DIRECT ACCESS
October 22, 1999
(202) 434-4251
hershberg@khlaw.com
Delmer F. Billings, Chief
Regulations Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
RSPA, U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
Re:
Clarification
Dear Mr. Billings:
We are requesting clarification on the applicability of the "consumer commodity"
classification for the shipment of certain aerosol products by air. It is our understanding that the
consumer commodity designation is appropriate if (1) a material is packaged and distributed in a
form intended or suitable for sale through sale agencies or instrumentalities for consumption by
individuals for purposes of personal or household use; (2) an aerosol does not exceed 17 fluid
ounces; and (3) the completed package does not exceed a gross mass of 25 kg.
The products at issue are aerosols intended for use as glass and metal cleaners, lubricants
and degreasers. These products may be used by professionals, or in industrial applications; and
they also are suitable for home use (e.g., a home workshop) should they be sold through retail
stores such as Trak Auto or Radio Shack.
We respectfully request your advice and opinion as to whether the products described
above qualify for the "consumer commodity" description under either or both of the following
circumstances:
(i)
If the products are marked "for professional and industrial use only," and/or

<<<PAGE 3>>>

KELLER AND HECKMAN IIP
Delmer F. Billings, Chief
October 22, 1999
Page 2
(i)
If the offeror of the shipment is a distributor of the product rather than the
manufacturer.
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your
immediate attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
the bey
K. Jain Hershberg
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