Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§9656 Transportation of hazardous substances; listing as hazardous material; liability for release

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 103— - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 9656

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Hazardous substances added to the list in section 9601(14) must also be listed and regulated as hazardous materials under chapter 51 of title 49 no later than 30 days after October 17, 1986, or at the time they are listed, whichever is later. A common or contract carrier is responsible under other law instead of section 9607 for damage or cleanup when a release began during transport before the substance was listed and regulated. That rule does not apply if the carrier proves it did not actually know the substance’s identity or nature.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §9656

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Each hazardous substance which is listed or designated as provided in section 9601(14) of this title shall, within 30 days after October 17, 1986, or at the time of such listing or designation, whichever is later, be listed and regulated as a hazardous material under chapter 51 of title 49.
(b)A common or contract carrier shall be liable under other law in lieu of section 9607 of this title for damages or remedial action resulting from the release of a hazardous substance during the course of transportation which commenced prior to the effective date of the listing and regulation of such substance as a hazardous material under chapter 51 of title 49, or for substances listed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, prior to the effective date of such listing: Provided, however, That this subsection shall not apply where such a carrier can demonstrate that he did not have actual knowledge of the identity or nature of the substance released.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification In subsecs. (a) and (b), “chapter 51 of title 49” substituted for “the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act [49 App. U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]” on authority of Pub. L. 103–272, § 6(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1378, the first section of which enacted subtitles II, III, and V to X of Title 49, Transportation.

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–499, § 202(a), substituted “within 30 days after
October 17, 1986” for “within ninety days after
December 11, 1980” and inserted “and regulated” before “as a hazardous material”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–499, § 202(b), inserted “and regulation” after “prior to the

Effective Date

of the listing”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 9656

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73