[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 202 (Friday, October 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61930-61931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24718]


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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 meetings.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to advise interested persons that PHMSA will 
conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 34th session of the 
United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous 
Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held November 30-December 9, 2008 in Geneva, 
Switzerland. During this meeting, PHMSA is also soliciting comments 
relative to potential new work items which may be considered for 
inclusion in its international agenda, and comments relative to a 
potential future rulemaking action regarding the use and applicability 
of international standards.
    This notice also provides information relative to a separate public 
meeting in preparation for the 16th Session of the United Nations Sub-
Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of 
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCOE GHS) to be held 
December 10-12, 2008.
    Information Regarding the UNSCOE TDG Meeting:

DATES: Wednesday, November 17, 2008; 8 a.m.-11 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The UNSCOE TDG meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, 
West Building, Oklahoma City Conference Room, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    Conference call capability/live meeting information: Conference 
call-in and ``live meeting'' capability will be provided for this 
meeting. To participate by telephone, dial 1 (888) 324-9365 and enter 
participant passcode 61017. During the call, please press *6 to mute/
unmute your individual line. This will ensure participants are not 
subjected to any background noise from individual lines. In addition, 
``live meeting'' provides a way to view information presented during 
the meeting via the Internet. To access ``live meeting'' please follow 
the instructions posted on our Web site at: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/international.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Duane Pfund, Director, Office of 
International Standards or Mr. Shane Kelley, International 
Transportation Specialist, 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 34th session of the UNSCOE TDG and to discuss draft 
U.S. positions on UNSCOE proposals. The 34th session of the UNSCOE TDG 
is the final meeting in the current biennium cycle. The UNSCOE will 
consider proposals for the 16th 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, 2011. Topics to be covered during the public meetings 
include:
    Transport of limited quantities and consumer commodities, use of 
electronic documentation, requirements for toxic by inhalation liquids, 
requirements for cryogenic receptacles, requirements for lithium 
batteries, fumigated units and dry ice, harmonization with the IAEA 
Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials, guiding 
principles for the development of the Model Regulations, and various 
proposals related to listing, classification, packaging, and hazard 
communication.
    In addition, PHMSA is soliciting comments on how to further enhance 
harmonization for international transport of hazardous materials. PHMSA 
is finalizing an international strategic plan to address harmonization 
and welcomes input on items which stakeholders believe should be 
included in this plan.
    Finally, PHMSA is soliciting comments regarding a potential future 
rulemaking action regarding the use of international regulations, in 
particular the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical 
Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO TI) 
and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). PHMSA 
is considering proposing to mandate the use of these regulations for 
the international transportation (see 49 CFR 171.8) of hazardous 
materials by aircraft or vessel. PHMSA requests comments regarding this 
prospective proposal. PHMSA is interested in comments including, but 
not limited to, comments related to the safety and economic 
implications of mandating the use of these regulations for 
international shipments, as well as implications to training of 
personnel.
    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. Following the 34th session of the UNSCOE TDG 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 TDG 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/c32008.html. This site may also be accessed through PHMSA's 
Hazardous Materials Safety Web site at http: //hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/intstandards.htm. PHMSA's site provides additional information 
regarding the LTNSCOE TDG and related matters such as a summary of 
decisions taken at previous sessions of the UNSCOE TDG.
    Information regarding the UNSCOE GHS meeting:

DATES: Thursday, November 18, 2008; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The UNSCOE GHS meeting will take place at the Environmental 
Protection Agency Potomac Yard One facility, Bellavista Conference Room 
(11100, 11th Floor), 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. To 
facilitate entry, please have a picture ID available and/or a U.S. 
Government building pass if applicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen Hendricks, Field and External 
Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide Programs (703) 308-0308, 
hendricks.kristen(epa.gov) or Dorothy Semazzi, Field and External 
Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide Programs (703) 347-8540, 
epa.gov">semazzi.dorothy@epa.gov).
    Conference Call Information: To participate in the meeting by 
conference call, dial 1 (866) 299-3188, and enter participant passcode 
7033080308.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Environmental Protection Agency is 
hosting this open informal meeting of the Interagency GHS Coordinating 
Group to provide interested groups and

[[Page 61931]]

individuals with an update on GHS-related issues and an opportunity to 
present their views orally and in writing for consideration in 
developing draft U.S. positions for the upcoming UNSCOE GHS meeting. 
The Agenda will include:
    1. Introductions.
    2. Key issues/documents to be considered in December UNSCOE GHS.
    3. Proposals for next biennium program of work.
    4. Public comments.

Documents

    Copies of documents for the December UNSCOE GHS meeting, the 
meeting agenda, and reports and documents from previous sessions may be 
downloaded from the UN Web site at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc4/c4age.html.

Theodore L. Willke,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
 [FR Doc. E8-24718 Filed 10-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-M