New HM shipping paper information requirements on the way

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has been promising changes to the emergency response telephone information that is required on hazmat shipping papers. The agency came through on that promise earlier this month.

HM-206F

PHMSA recently published a final rule amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to clarify requirements governing emergency response information (ERI) services provided by arrangement with hazardous materials offerors (shippers). In order to preserve the effectiveness of the arrangements for providing accurate and timely emergency response information, PHMSA is requiring basic identifying information (offeror name or contract number) to be included on shipping papers.

According to PHMSA, the information will enable the emergency response information provider to identify the offeror on whose behalf it is accepting responsibility for providing emergency response information in the event of a hazardous materials incident and obtain additional information about the hazardous material as needed.

What’s required?

Specifically, the new regulations require an offeror who has made an arrangement with an ERI provider to be identified on the shipping paper in clear association with the emergency response telephone number. However, if the name of the offeror is prominently and clearly listed elsewhere on the shipping paper, it need not also be listed in association with the emergency response telephone number.

The requirements clarify that any person preparing a subsequent shipping paper for continued transport of a hazardous materials shipment must include the offeror's name (whether the original or subsequent offeror) that is the registrant for the ERI provider and that will be in use for the continued transportation of the shipment.

The name of the original or subsequent offeror or its contract number with the ERI provider must be included on the shipping paper. If the original or subsequent offeror is not continuing as the registrant with the ERI provider, the person preparing subsequent shipping papers must insert and identify by name its own valid emergency response telephone number conforming to the requirements in Subpart G of Part 172.

Questions?

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J. J. Keller's Handling Hazardous Materials gives you plain-language explanations of DOT Hazmat regulations for those who manage or transport hazardous materials -- shipping papers, marking, labeling, and placarding. It includes Identification Number Cross Reference to proper shipping names, Hazardous Materials Table, List of Hazardous Substances, List of Marine Pollutants, and List of Special Provisions in Section 172.102.

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