North American 
Transportation Consultants Inc. 

PHMSA Final Rule

             As required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), on January 12, 2016, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) submitted to the Federal Register a final rule which adopts provisions contained in certain widely-used or long-standing special permits that have an established safety record.

           The adopted amendments are intended to provide wider access to the regulatory flexibility offered in special permits and eliminate the need for numerous renewal requests. The adopted amendments will also reduce paperwork burdens and facilitate commerce while maintaining an appropriate level of safety.

           Since 2008, PHMSA has issued eight separate rulemakings and adopted a total of 94 hazardous materials special permits into regulation. The rulemaking adopts an additional 96 special permits. According to PHMSA, special permits set forth alternative requirements - or a variance - to the requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations in a way that achieves a safety level at least equal to that required under the regulations.

           The Final Rule is effective February 22, 2016, with compliance required beginning January 23, 2017.

For a printable version of this notice, please click here.

For a link to the Federal Register, please click here.

JC - 2/24/16