The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is proposing to amend the hazardous materials regulations to incorporate provisions contained in certain widely used or longstanding cargo tank special permits that are granted to multiple parties and have an established safety record.
Special permits allow a company or individual to package or ship a hazardous material in a manner that varies from the regulations if an equivalent level of safety is maintained.
PHMSA says the proposed revisions in its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – published July 21 in the Federal Register – are intended to provide wider access to the regulatory flexibility offered in the special permits and eliminate the need for numerous renewal requests. This will facilitate commercial activity and reduce paperwork while maintaining safety.
To submit comments during the 30-day comment period, go to www.regulations.gov; the docket number is PHMSA-2010-0017 (HM-245).
