PHMSA Strategic Plan of Its International Safety Priorities, Related Public Meeting
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has finalized its International Strategic Plan that defines the international safety priorities that will be the focus of PHMSA's U.S. and international decision-making for the next several years. PHMSA seeks input on specific initiatives that are or should be included in the plan.
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In addition, PHSMA has issued a related notice announcing a public meeting on June 17, 2009 in Washington, DC to seek public input on potential new work items which may be considered for inclusion in its international agenda and comments relative to a future rulemaking action regarding the use and applicability of international standards.
(The meeting is being conducted in preparation for the 35th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Subcommittee of Experts) to be held in June 2009.)
Highlights of PHMSA's International Strategic Plan and Priorities for Action
The following are highlights of PHMSA's International Strategic Plan and international priorities for action for the next several years (partial list):
International harmonization. PHMSA is conducting a comprehensive regulatory assessment comparing the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to those regulations applicable to international transport. It will be evaluating the results of the assessment to determine potential areas of harmonization in both the HMR and the international regulations and standards. Among other things, PHMSA will: (1) evaluate differences related to classification, packaging, marking, labeling, and documentation; (2) evaluate the possibility of harmonizing the packaging sections in the HMR with the format in the UN Model Regulations and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions (TI); and (3) work to establish internationally harmonized requirements for the transport of consumer goods to enhance hazard recognition, handling, and appropriate response measures for these shipments.
Cooperative agreement with China. Recognizing the continually growing trade in hazardous materials between the U.S. and China, PHMSA is collaborating on a Cooperative Project Arrangement (CPA), expected to be signed in 2009, to enhance technical cooperation, improve cooperation on enforcement and investigative actions, promote outreach and training opportunities, and improve coordination on international regulatory development issues with China.
North America. PHMSA intends to expand cooperation on regulatory development and transport facilitation issues with Canada and Mexico and will work to ensure a coordinated strategy on the approach each country takes to its adoption of international standards. In addition, PHMSA will identify key differences in land transportation standards and work to minimize such differences to the greatest extent practicable. It will initiate efforts to establish reciprocal agreements on issues of importance to its stakeholders, such as mutual recognition of UN standard packaging testing laboratories.
Electronic information. PHMSA is working to determine regulatory guidelines for the use of electronic communication as a compliment, and potentially as an alternative to paper shipping papers. Under a PHMSA initiative titled HM-ACCESS (Hazardous Materials - Automated Cargo Communication for Efficient and Safe Shipments), it is developing a roadmap that will guide its efforts to promote the adoption of paperless systems both domestically and internationally.
Mutual recognition for U.S.-issued approvals, etc. PHMSA will continue its efforts to improve global recognition for U.S.-issued approvals and U.S.-authorized packagings such as pressure receptacles and portable tanks. PHMSA is evaluating its Special Permits and Approvals process to better define process flow and requirements to its customers, both domestic and international, in order to promote confidence in the U.S. system and reduce opportunities for non-acceptance.
Impediments to multi-modal transportation. PHMSA is currently working with industry organizations and other federal agencies to better harmonize hazardous material shipping paper information for multi-modal shipments.
Energy sources/battery safety.PHMSA will continue to participate in domestic and international efforts to develop regulatory and non-regulatory measures to enhance the safe transport of energy sources and batteries. PHMSA will lead an international UN Informal Working Group on lithium battery testing and transport provisions.
ICAO TI packing instructions.PHMSA will continue efforts to develop and implement reformatted packing instructions within the ICAO TI. It will evaluate and determine an appropriate means of incorporating the new ICAO TI packing instructions (effective January 1, 2011) into the HMR.
(See Annex 3 of the Plan for specific work plan items by strategic initiatives.)
PHMSA International Strategic Plan available on the right-hand side under Documents at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/international
PHMSA meeting notice (FR Pub 03/31/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7042.pdf