Tweaking Hazmat Rules: Send DOT Your Thoughts by March 11
Published Date: 2/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation is reviewing requests to change special permits for safely transporting hazardous materials. These changes could affect companies using trucks, trains, ships, or planes to move dangerous goods. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to send comments by March 11, 2025—no fees or costs are mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New periodic retest/test methods requested
Hanwha Cimarron LLC submitted several modification requests (20418-M, 21136-M, 21491-M, 21667-M) to authorize additional periodic retest or periodic test methods under their special permits. The listed applications cover modes 1 (motor vehicle), 2 (rail freight), and 3 (cargo vessel).
Battery packaging relief for variable sizes
CellBlock FCS (application 20549-M) asks to modify a special permit to provide relief from several provisions (including 173.185(c) and 49 CFR 178.602(c)) to account for varying size, weight, and density of batteries that will be packaged and shipped under the permit. The request covers modes 1, 2, and 3.
Large lithium batteries on cargo aircraft
Anduril Industries, Inc. (application 21676-M) requests modification of a special permit to authorize lithium ion batteries that have completed all U.N. tests and that exceed 35 kg net weight to be carried aboard cargo-only aircraft. The application lists modes 1 (motor vehicle), 2 (rail freight), 3 (cargo vessel), and 4 (cargo aircraft only).
NASA permits: allow additional packagings
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration filed modification requests (8131-M and 8178-M) to their special permits to authorize additional packagings. Application 8131-M lists modes 1 (motor vehicle), 2 (rail freight), and 4 (cargo aircraft only); application 8178-M lists modes 1 and 4.
Cylinder marking change authorized
Entegris, Inc. (application 16485-M) seeks to modify its special permit to authorize low-stress peen requalification markings on the upper sidewall of the cylinder. The application covers modes 1 (motor vehicle), 2 (rail freight), and 3 (cargo vessel).
Packaging preparation and testing relief
CellBlock FCS (application 21442-M) filed to modify a special permit to provide relief from requirements (including 178.602(c) and parts of 172 and 173) that address the preparation and configuration of packagings and packages for testing. The application lists modes 1, 2, and 3.
Allow DOT-3AL specification cylinders
Samsung Austin Semiconductor, LLC (application 21503-M) seeks to modify its special permit to authorize the use of DOT-3AL specification cylinders. The application covers modes 1 (motor vehicle), 2 (rail freight), and 3 (cargo vessel).
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Key Dates
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