The CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) is the Hazardous Materials shipping bible. In Title 49, there are definitions, classifications, regulations and a host of specific requirements set forth by the US DOT regarding the safe transport of hazardous materials by air, rail, water or road. Subtitle B of Chapter 1 refers to the Research and Special Programs Administration, with Subchapters A – C targeting Hazardous Materials Transportation Pipeline Safety, Oil Transportation, and Hazardous Materials Regulations. These are divided into Parts 171-180 with Subparts, Sections, Paragraphs and Subparagraphs. Part 178 addresses Hazardous Materials Packaging Specifications. As one who frequently references the CFR, I know that finding a particular reference to a regulatory question can be difficult. For several years, I have been keeping a Cheat-Sheet of specific paragraphs that speak to common questions regarding UN (United Nations) packagings. A part of the Skolnik web site, the CFR Cheat-Sheet lists about 50 references and the exact paragraph that explains the regulatory requirement. Though this only focuses on a single Section of the CFR, and requirements mostly applicable to steel and plastic drums, I hope that this CFR Cheat-Sheet will provide you with a quick reference when someone asks you questions such as “citing the reference for why a PG I package can be used for a PG II contents”, or “does the UN marking have to be inside a circle!” Also, if you would like us to add a reference, please email it to me.
DOT/UN Industry News