House Measure To Address Dangerous Goods Security

On May 2nd, 2002, the Research and Special Projects Administration (RSPA) of the DOT published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking entitled HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFERORS AND TRANSPORTERS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HM-232). The reason for this rule making is that "in the wrong hands, hazardous materials can pose a significant security threat. In transportation they are particularly vulnerable to sabotage or misuse." Highlighting the issues addressed in HM-232 are: the addition of shippers and consignees registrations to shipping documents, shippers of high hazard materials that could be used as weapons must develop security plans, and that shippers of infectious substances would be required to be registered with RSPA. The DOT comment period ended June 3rd, and because DOT has put this rule making on a fast-track, it is important that shippers, consignees, and transporters monitor these rule making developments and implement the necessary procedural changes.