[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 194 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24936]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 171-180

[Docket No. HM-221; Notice No. 94-9]
RIN 2137-AC62

 

Alternate Standards for Open Head Fiber Drum Packaging

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM).

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SUMMARY: On August 29, 1994, the President signed the ``Hazardous 
Materials Transportation Authorization Act of 1994'' (the Act). Section 
122 of the Act requires RSPA to examine requirements that pertain to 
open head fiber drum packaging in domestic transportation. 
Specifically, RSPA is to determine whether there are standards other 
than the performance-based standards adopted under RSPA's rulemaking 
Docket No. HM-181, that will provide an equal or greater level of 
safety for the transportation of liquid hazardous materials. The 
purpose of this ANPRM is to solicit comments and proposals for 
alternate standards for open head fiber drum packaging.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 12, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments to this ANPRM should be addressed to the Dockets 
Unit, Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Washington DC 20590-0001. Comments should identify the 
Docket (HM-221) and be submitted, if possible, in five copies. Persons 
wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their comments should 
include a self-addressed stamped postcard showing the docket number. 
The Dockets Unit is located in Room 8419 of the Nassif Building, 400 
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone: (202) 366-
5046. Public dockets may be reviewed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Potter, Office of Hazardous 
Materials Standards, (202) 366-4488, RSPA, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 122 of the Act (Pub. L. 103-311) 
reads as follows:

    SEC. 122. USE OF FIBER DRUM PACKAGING.
    (a) INITIATION OF RULEMAKING PROCEEDING.--Not later than the 
60th day following the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to 
determine whether the requirements of section 5103(b) of title 49, 
United States Code (relating to regulations for safe transportation) 
as they pertain to open head fiber drum packaging can be met for the 
domestic transportation of liquid hazardous materials (with respect 
to those classifications of liquid hazardous materials transported 
by such drums pursuant to regulations in effect on September 30, 
1991) with standards other than the performance-oriented packaging 
standards adopted under docket number HM-181 contained in part 178 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
    (b) ISSUANCE OF STANDARDS.--If the Secretary of Transportation 
determines, as a result of the rulemaking proceeding initiated under 
subsection (a), that a packaging standard other than the 
performance-oriented packaging standards referred to in subsection 
(a) will provide an equal or greater level of safety for the 
domestic transportation of liquid hazardous materials than would be 
provided if such performance-oriented packaging standards were in 
effect, the Secretary shall issue regulations which implement such 
other standard and which take effect before October 1, 1996.
    (c) COMPLETION OF RULEMAKING PROCEEDING.--The rulemaking 
proceeding initiated under subsection (a) shall be completed before 
October 1, 1995.
    (d) LIMITATIONS.--
    (1) The provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not 
apply to packaging for those hazardous materials regulated by the 
Department of Transportation as poisonous by inhalation under 
chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code.
    (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the 
Secretary of Transportation from issuing or enforcing regulations 
for the international transportation of hazardous materials.

    Detailed comments and proposals are requested that will assist RSPA 
in developing an appropriate regulatory proposal consistent with the 
requirement quoted above. Of particular importance is the determination 
called for in paragraph (b) of Section 122 that a packaging standard to 
be adopted provide an equal or greater level of safety for domestic 
transportation of liquid hazardous materials than would be provided if 
the performance-oriented packaging standards specified in 49 CFR part 
178 subparts L and M were applied. Any interested person is invited to 
present a proposal, preferably in the form of a draft standard, that 
would assist RSPA in accomplishing the intended effect of this law. The 
proposal should include a methodology for evaluating comparative levels 
of safety and estimates, where available, of cost differences between 
present and proposed packaging.
    In addition, comments are invited on the issue of whether alternate 
standards for open head fiber drums should be limited to domestic 
transportation of liquid hazardous materials. If packagings authorized 
by alternate standards would cost less than the performance standard 
packaging adopted under HM-181, but were not authorized for 
international shipments, an unfair competition issue could be raised in 
relation to international trade agreements.

Regulatory Analyses and Notices

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This advance notice of proposed rulemaking is not considered a 
significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866 and was not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. This 
advance notice of proposed rulemaking is not considered significant 
under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of 
Transportation (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979).

B. Executive Order 12612

    RSPA will evaluate any proposed rule in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 
(``Federalism'').

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    RSPA will evaluate any proposed rule to determine whether it would 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    There are no new information collection requirements in this 
advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

E. Regulations Identifier Number (RIN)

    A regulation identifier number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory 
action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The 
Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in 
April and October of each year. The RIN number contained in the heading 
of this document can be used to cross-reference this action with the 
Unified Agenda.

    Issued in Washington, DC on October 4, 1994, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR Part 106, Appendix A.
Robert A. McGuire,
Deputy Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 94-24936 Filed 10-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P