Regulatory agencies are heading into a busy year, particularly the U.S. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). In July 2025, PHMSA proposed roughly 20 hazmat-related rulemakings, many of which are expected to be finalized in 2026 and incorporated into the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).
According to PHMSA’s Unified Agenda, these changes aim to clarify requirements, provide regulatory relief, and streamline compliance for hazmat shippers across several key areas.
Proposed Relief for Common Hazmat Shipments
Several proposed rules could ease compliance for widely shipped materials:
- Limited Quantities (2137-AG03): Allows a reduced limited quantity marking size (25 mm x 25 mm) for certain shipments.
- Aerosols (2137-AG04): Expands the definition of aerosols to include pure gases, aligning U.S. rules with international standards.
- Lithium Batteries (2137-AG05): Increases the amount of lithium batteries permitted under the materials of trade exception for motor vehicles.
Improvements to Hazmat Special Permits
PHMSA is also proposing changes to simplify and modernize the hazmat special permit process, which allows alternative packaging or methods when equivalent safety can be demonstrated. Key proposals include:
- Extended use of special permit packaging as long as it remains safe and usable (2137-AG08)
- More flexible renewal timelines for special permits (2137-AG09)
- Adoption of long-standing special permit reliefs into the HMR, including rules for unloading drums, shipping appliances, and using IBCs (2137-AG14, AG15, AG16, AG18)
Registration Fee Increase Withdrawn
What’s next: PHMSA has officially withdrawn its proposal to increase hazmat registration fees (2137-AF59) as of November 20, 2025.
- While the agency acknowledges a funding shortfall for emergency preparedness grants, it plans to explore alternative solutions before proposing new fee increases.
- Separate rulemakings will still move forward for electronic payments and electronic registration certificates.
The bottom line: Many of these proposed changes could have a meaningful impact on hazmat shippers in 2026. Staying informed now will help ensure smoother compliance as PHMSA finalizes these rules.
Source: Lion Technology Inc., January 2026