Archive for News

The Changing Regulations Pertaining to the Transportation of Lithium Batteries

In August of 2014 the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated final rule HM-224F affecting the safe transport of lithium batteries[i].  DOT announced that the resultant effects from the revisions of HM-224F will “strengthen safety conditions for the shipment of … Continue reading → Read more [...]

‘Why do I need a new Air Regs book every year?’

I’m often asked:   why do I need a new Air Regs book every year?  Always an interesting question and the answer changes every year!   For 2015 though, it’s really simple. This is an ICAO year, one in which there’s  a … Continue reading → Read more [...]

USDOT/FRA Issues Final Rule Mandating Improved Employee Training for Railroads, Contractors, Related Groups

On Friday, November 7th, 2014, the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a final rule mandating significant improvements to the way training and the documentation of training for both railroad employees and the employees of … Continue reading → Read more [...]

OSHA Announces November 12th, 2014 Washington Meeting in Preparation for December UN GHS Conference in Geneva

In the October 29th edition of the Federal Register, the United States Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a notice announcing that a public meeting will be held in Washington, DC on November 12th from … Continue reading → Read more [...]

DG Spotlight | It’s Time to Review Your Training on Lithium Battery Regs

As the rules around shipping lithium batteries continue to evolve in our industry, so must the training we provide the employees who ship these Dangerous Goods. On August 6, PHMSA published the HM-224F Transport of Lithium Batteries Final Rule. More … Continue reading → Read more [...]

OSHA announces November 10th, 2014 webinar regarding updates to chemical facility safety and security under Executive Order 13650

In the October 22nd edition of the Federal Register, the United States Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a notice announcing that a webinar will be held on November 10th from 4 PM to 5:30 … Continue reading → Read more [...]

DG Spotlight | PHMSA Harmonizing HMR with UN Model Regulations, IMDG and ICAO

As part of its ongoing effort to harmonize Hazardous Materials Regulations; 49 CFR Parts 171–180 (HMR) with international standards, PHMSA published the HM-215M Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on August 25, 2014. The comment period for these proposed changes lasts … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) Released!

By Susan Knorr Significant regulatory changes have recently been made by Transport Canada, which have created a need for a new release of the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR). Labelmaster’s new edition of the TDGR is available October … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Infographic | The Evolution of Complication

Today’s fast-paced world may bear little resemblance to the 1860s, but the safe shipping of Dangerous Goods was every bit as important then as it is now. This infographic provides a brief retrospective on the key milestones and government agencies … Continue reading → Read more [...]

US DOT/PHMSA Issues Interpretation Letter Regarding Class 9 Labels and Placards

In the July 20th, 2011 edition of the US Federal Register, the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule under [Docket No. PHMSA–2009–0151 (HM–218F)] under which the agency, among many … Continue reading → Read more [...]

A Summary of PHMSA HM-224F Final Rule on Lithium Batteries

A final rule on lithium batteries from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) was published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2014 (HM-224F, 79 Fed. Reg. 46012).  In the rule PHMSA harmonized many … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Infographic | Unlocking the Mysteries of DG and the CFR

Dangerous Goods regulations can seem like an alphabet soup of acronyms. This infographic provides a bit of clarity. Contact Labelmaster today to learn more about these and other important DG topics.

The Sky is NOT The Limit When Shipping DG

It’s been a busy summer for our A.I.R. ShipperTM authoring team. Rolling in the large number of changes developed by ICAO, the UN and the IAEA was a challenge made more difficult with very late changes for lithium metal batteries. … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Homeland Security Requests New Information for First Responder Community of Practice Program

The United States Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) has published an information collection request in today’s Federal Register (Docket No. DHS-2012-0013) pertaining to their First Responders Community of Practice program (FRCoP). FRCoP is a program in place since 2002 which … Continue reading → Read more [...]

US Federal Railroad Administration Issues Proposed Rulemaking to Codify Emergency Order 28 of August 2013

At approximately 1:15 AM EST on July 6th, 2013, a unit freight train of the cross-border operating Montreal, Maine, & Atlantic Railroad (MM&A) loaded with crude oil from the Bakken Shale Formations in North Dakota in the western United States … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Infographic | Navigating International DG Shipping

Keeping your shipments of Dangerous Goods moving across international borders means knowing the rules every step of the way.   Contact Labelmaster today to learn more about these and other important DG topics.

USDOT/PHMSA Releases Call for Comments on 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook

In the September 2nd, 2014 edition of the US Federal Register, the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published an initial call for comments and suggestions in reference to the upcoming revision and … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Infographic | Shipping Lithium Batteries

When shipping lithium batteries, which are classified as Dangerous Goods, maintaining compliance can be tricky. This infographic provides an overview of the regulations governing the movement of these increasingly common energy cells. Contact Labelmaster today to learn more about these … Continue reading → Read more [...]

The Buzz: Upcoming End to Class 9 Hazard Label Transition Period has the Hazardous Materials Community Talking

In the July 20th, 2011 edition of the US Federal Register, the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule under [Docket No. PHMSA–2009–0151 (HM–218F)] under which the agency, among many … Continue reading → Read more [...]

FMCSA Considers Negotiated Rulemaking Process for Upgraded Federal Regulations Governing CDL Driver Training

In an action published in today’s Federal Register, the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the retention of a “neutral convener” to explore with stakeholders the potential of entering into a negotiated rulemaking process … Continue reading → Read more [...]

TSA Requests Comment on Renewal of Information Collection Activities on Rail Carriers, Shippers of Designated Hazardous Materials

The Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today issued an extension of the comment period referencing an already approved and in-force Information Collection requirement affecting rail carriers and shippers by rail of certain hazardous materials.  Passenger carrying rail … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Infographic | The Movement of Dangerous Goods

Moving Dangerous Goods (DG) safely involves the coordinated actions of shippers, carriers, and receivers. This infographic provides a high-level look at some of the facts and figures behind the 1.4 million DG shipments that take place each day. Contact Labelmaster today … Continue reading → Read more [...]

USDOT/PHMSA Releases NPRM on Special Permit and Authority Approval Procedures

In the August 12th 2014 edition of the US Federal Register, the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a proposed rule (NPRM) under Docket # PHMSA-2012-0260 (HM-233E) RIN 2137-AE99 under which the … Continue reading → Read more [...]

DOT’s PHMSA Issues Final Rule on Penalties, Hazmat Operations

The United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today issued a Final Rule pertaining to the ability of individuals and corporations to continue to operate after failing to pay a required penalty assessed under … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Lithium Batteries: Notable Changes Result from PHMSA’s Final Rule — HM-224F

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new final ruling on the safe transport of lithium batteries was published today in the Federal Register. The adopted amendments in the final rule pertain to 49 CFR, Parts 171, 172, 173, and 175. Read … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Safety Marks Amended within Canada’s TDG Regulations

Transport Canada, the regulatory authority responsible for Canadian transportation policies and programs, has promulgated an amendment to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG Regulations). Specifically, an amendment titled “Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 4, Dangerous … Continue reading → Read more [...]

PHMSA Announces Final Rule Pertaining to Lithium Battery Transport

Today via the U.S. DOT PHMSA website, the agency announced the forthcoming issuance of a Final Rule regarding new regulatory requirements pertaining to the safe transport of lithium batteries. Specifically, the new ruling revises hazard communication and packaging provisions for … Continue reading → Read more [...]

IMDG Code Amendment 37-14 Available in November

An English hard-copy version of the latest edition of the IMDG Code, Amendment 37-14 will become available to users in November 2014 pursuant to an announcement made by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Shortly following in early 2015 will be … Continue reading → Read more [...]

The Long Awaited US DOT Lithium Battery Final Rule to be Published Soon

The long awaited publication of a final rule to align the US Hazardous Materials Regulations lithium battery transport requirements with the requirements in international regulations is likely to be published now that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), concluded … Continue reading → Read more [...]

FMCSA Releases New Hazardous Materials Route Registry

The United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today published a notice containing the updated summary of route information in their Hazardous Materials Route Registry in the US Federal Register. This guide lists all designated … Continue reading → Read more [...]

USDOT/PHMSA Releases Update to Class 7 Rules

In the July 11th 2014 edition of the US Federal Register, the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule conforming certain regulations within the US 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Will You Be Ready for June 1, 2015?

On June 1, 2015, Chemical Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors and Employers must comply with the modified provision of Hazcom 2012/GHS. Labelmaster has a number of resources to help you in your transition: MSDS to SDS Conversion Services: We have partnered with … Continue reading → Read more [...]

PHMSA Interpretation Clarifies Limited Quantity Marking Size Restrictions

The United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Agency (PHMSA) has made public a recent Letter of Interpretation which further clarifies the issue of required marking size when applying the Limited Quantity Marking for ground transport … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Webinar: A Smart Approach to Hazmat Compliance – July 10, 2014

Labelmaster’s Bob Richard will be hosting a Free Webinar on July 10th with the World Trade 100 titled: A Smart Approach to Hazmat Compliance Overview: For global shippers and carriers, maintaining compliance with hazardous material or dangerous goods regulations can … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Hazard Communication and the Transport of Hazardous Materials: Different Systems with Differing Requirements

Based on the confusion among some Labelmaster customers, it seems to us that there is still no small amount of clarification required in industry relating to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), published in the 29 CFR 1910.1200 and governing … Continue reading → Read more [...]

ICAO Rules to Ban Lithium Battery Cargo on Passenger Aircraft

June 24th, 2014 By Bob Richards and Paul Burgess The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) announced yesterday that “subject to Council approval,” the rules under which various types of Lithium Batteries may be shipped by air are changing with the … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Do You Know Your Hazmat?

When we think of the various types of hazardous materials (“hazmat”) offered for transport, we tend to visualize typical hazmat transport vehicles seen on the highway. Everyday hazardous material shipments found traveling along the roadway often will include a tank-truck … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Labelmaster’s Dangerous Goods Information System (DGIS) Software Now Provides SAP Integration

  Here is a snippet from the press release that went out this morning: “Integrating with SAP, the market leader in enterprise application software, makes perfect sense given the demand from our customers,” said Forest Himmelfarb, Vice President at Labelmaster. … Continue reading → Read more [...]

Compliant and Efficient Hazmat Shipping (Link to Inbound Logistics Magazine, April 2014)

The April 2014 issue of Inbound Logistics Thought Leaders features Labelmaster’s Vice-President of Software & Services, Forest Himmelfarb discussing Efficient and Compliant Hazmat Shipping.  To learn more visit:  http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/efficient-and-compliant-hazmat-shipping-today-you-can-have-both/ Read more [...]

USDOT Releases Reauthorization Proposal

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) released its reauthorization proposal on April 29th. The massive bill, even the brief summary of which is over one hundred pages, will do everything from set priorities for federal highways, to issuing new … Continue reading → Read more [...]