Don’t Forget Your PHMSA Registration Deadline!

May 31, 2013 | Hazmat shippers and carriers are required to register and pay an annual fee to the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA). This mandate can be found in section 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (107.601-107.620.)

How do you know if you apply to this regulation? Those who offer for transportation, transport in commerce, or generate hazardous waste in the following categories are required to register. The following is a list of applicability information according to the 49 CFR:

 (1) A highway route-controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material, as defined in § 173.403 the chapter;

(2) More than 25 kg (55 pounds) of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 (explosive) material (see § 173.50 of the chapter) in a motor vehicle, rail car or freight container;

(3) More than one L (1.06 quarts) per package of a material extremely toxic by inhalation ( i.e., “material poisonous by inhalation,” as defined in § 171.8 of this chapter, that meets the criteria for “hazard zone A,” as specified in § 173.116(a) or § 173.133(a) of the chapter);

(4) A shipment of a quantity of hazardous materials in a bulk packaging (see § 171.8 of the chapter) having a capacity equal to or greater than 13,248 L (3,500 gallons) for liquids or gases or more than 13.24 cubic meters (468 cubic feet) for solids;

(5) A shipment in other than a bulk packaging of 2,268 kg (5,000 pounds) gross weight or more of one class of hazardous materials for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car, or freight container is required for that class, under the provisions of subpart F of part 172 of the chapter; or

(6) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a quantity of hazardous material that requires placarding, under provisions of subpart F of part 172 of the chapter.

(b) Paragraph (a)(6) of this section does not apply to those activities of a farmer, as defined in § 171.8 of the chapter, that are in direct support of the farmer's farming operations.

(c) In this subpart, the term “shipment” means the offering or loading of hazardous material at one loading facility using one transport vehicle, or the transport of that transport vehicle.

As you can tell, this listing indicates that most generators, offerors, and carriers must register annually with the PHMSA. This is a good time to review your inventory and consider how you are warehousing, storing, packaging, and transporting your products as well as making sure your records are up-to-date. In addition to this, if you have registered with the PHMSA, you must also provide the mandated hazardous materials training for your employees. We can help you fulfill your training requirements with our online, on-site, or webinar training.

The list of applicable fees can be found by visiting the PHMSA website. Registration for the 2013-2014 Year must be completed by July 1, 2013. You can register online here.