Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits
Published Date: 2/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation just announced new requests for special permits to handle hazardous materials in different ways. Companies and transporters who deal with dangerous goods should check these applications and send their comments by March 4, 2026. This could change how some hazardous materials are moved, possibly speeding up shipping or adding new safety rules without extra costs right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Permit to Ship Damaged Lithium Cells for Disposal
Veolia ES Technical Solutions applied (Application No. 22177-N) for a permit to transport one UN 50D Large Packaging containing damaged lithium ion cells for disposal by motor vehicle (mode 1). If approved, this would authorize a specific method to move damaged lithium ion cells to disposal facilities.
Spacecraft Packages with Gases and Batteries
BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (Application No. 22179-N) seeks a permit to transport certain non-DOT specification spacecraft packagings containing Division 2.1 and 2.2 compressed gases and lithium ion batteries installed in equipment by motor vehicle (mode 1). The request would authorize transporting these non-standard spacecraft packagings in commerce.
Leak Detection Instead of Visual Tank Car Inspection
Trinseo LLC (Application No. 22180-N) asks to authorize use of leak detection method(s) in lieu of a visual inspection for tank car manway cover gaskets during rail freight transport (mode 2). The permit would allow tank cars to be moved with gaskets tested by specified leak detection methods rather than visually inspected.
Prototype Batteries on Cargo-Only Aircraft
GS Yuasa Lithium Power, Inc. (Application No. 22183-N) seeks authorization to transport prototype and low production lithium batteries aboard cargo-only aircraft (mode 4). If granted, this would allow certain prototype batteries to be carried on cargo-only flights.
Air Transport of UN3538 Articles Currently Forbidden
Kalitta Air, LLC (Application No. 22184-N) applied to authorize transportation by cargo-only aircraft (mode 4) of UN3538 articles containing non-flammable, non-toxic gas, n.o.s. that are currently forbidden for cargo-only aircraft. The permit would specifically seek to lift that air-transport prohibition for those articles.
Engineer Certifying Tank Car Designs Instead of AAR
The Greenbrier Companies (Application No. 22187-N) requests permission for a Design Certifying Engineer to certify tank car designs, including alterations, conversions, and repairs, in lieu of an approval issued by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) for rail freight (mode 2). The permit would allow an engineer-based certification alternative to AAR approval.
Unproven Lithium Battery Designs on Cargo Aircraft
Arkedge Space Inc. (Application No. 22188-N) seeks a permit to transport a lithium ion battery design that has not been proven to pass UN Manual of Tests and Criteria section 38.3 by cargo-only aircraft (mode 4). The request would authorize carriage of a battery design not proven by that testing standard.
Heavy Prototype Lithium Batteries Above 35 kg by Air
Samsung SDI Battery Systems GmbH (agent) (Application No. 22193-N) asks to authorize transport of prototype lithium ion batteries in excess of 35 kilograms aboard cargo-only aircraft (mode 4). The permit would seek to allow carriage of heavier prototype batteries by air.
Comment Deadline for Special Permits
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is accepting comments on new special permit applications. Comments must be received on or before March 4, 2026; send to PHMSA Records Center in Washington, DC and refer to the application number.
Transport of Infected Mice in Alternative Packaging
The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (Application No. 22181-N) requests authorization to transport mice infected with Division 6.2 infectious substances in alternative packaging by motor vehicle (mode 1). The permit would authorize use of that alternative packaging for moving infected mice in commerce.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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