[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 67425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9324]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration


International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods; 
Public Meeting

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to advise interested persons that PHMSA will 
conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 30th session of the 
United Nation's Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous 
Goods (UNSCOE) to be held 4-12 (a.m.) December 2006 in Geneva, 
Switzerland.

DATES: Wednesday, November 29, 2006; 9:30 a.m.--3:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at DOT Headquarters, Nassif 
Building, Room 8418, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Duane Pfund, Director, Office of 
International Standards, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, 
Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0656.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose of this meeting will be 
to prepare for the 30th session of the UNSCOE and to discuss draft U.S. 
positions on UNSCOE proposals. The 30th session of the UNSCOE is the 
final meeting in the current biennium cycle. The UNSCOE will consider 
proposals for the 15th Revised Edition of the United Nations 
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations 
which will come into force in the international regulations from 
January 1, 2009. Topics to be covered during the public meeting 
include:
    Transport of dangerous goods in excepted quantities, testing of 
intermediate bulk containers, transport of infectious substances, 
transport of chlorosilanes, provisions for fireworks, portable tank 
instructions for toxic by inhalation liquids, transport of compressed 
gases, requirements for fuel cell cartridges, harmonization with the 
IAEA Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials, 
guiding principles for the development of the Model Regulations, and 
various miscellaneous proposals related to listing, classifications, 
and hazard communication. In addition, we are soliciting comments on 
possible work items for inclusion in the UNSCOE's program of work for 
the upcoming 2007-2008 biennium.
    Immediately following the portion of the public meeting designated 
for discussion on the 30th session of the UNSCOE, PHMSA will hold a 
discussion relative to the safe transport of lithium batteries. This 
discussion will feature an update from the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission on the status of lithium battery recalls, discussion of UN 
proposals relative to lithium batteries, industry best practice 
experience, and a structured discussion on developing a collaborative 
roadmap addressing regulatory, best practice and outreach initiatives 
to enhance lithium battery transport safety.
    The public is invited to attend without prior notification. Due to 
the heightened security measures participants are encouraged to arrive 
early to allow time for security checks necessary to obtain access to 
the building. In lieu of conducting a public meeting after the 30th 
session of the UNSCOE to present the results of the session, PHMSA will 
place a copy of the Sub-Committee's report and an updated copy of the 
pre-meeting summary document on PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Safety 
Homepage at http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/intstandards.htm.

Documents

    Copies of documents for the UNSCOE meeting and the meeting agenda 
may be obtained by downloading them from the United Nations Transport 
Division's Web site at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc/c32006.html. This site may also be accessed through PHMSA's Hazardous 
Materials Safety Homepage at http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/intstandards.htm. PHMSA's site provides additional information 
regarding the UNSCOE and related matters such as a summary of decisions 
taken at previous sessions of the UNSCOE.

Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 06-9324 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-M