On April 16, 2012, PHMSA issued a Final Rule adopting, several packaging amendments to make 49 C.F.R. § 173.27 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (“HMR”) consistent with the 2011-2012 edition of the International Civil Aviation Technical Instructions for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Air (“ICAO Technical Instruction”). The Final Rule publishes requirements that closures of inner packagings be secured by a secondary means of closure. The effective date of the amendments adopted in the Final Rule is July 1, 2012.
This final rule adopts the requirements that friction and screw type closures (i.e., all closures) of inner packagings intended to contain liquids, as part of a combination packaging, must be secured by a secondary means of closure. For liquids assigned to Packing Groups II or III, a leakproof liner may be used to satisfy the secondary closure requirement where it cannot be applied or it is impracticable to apply. For liquids of Packing Group I, a secondary means of closure, absorbent material, and a rigid and leakproof receptacle or intermediate packaging is required. PHMSA believes that because most shippers already prepare shipments in accordance with the ICAO technical instructions, the Final Rule should impose no new costs on shippers.
For further information or assistance in regards to PHMSA’s Final Rule, please contact Ronce Almond at (202) 457-7790.