Hazmat Transportation Regulations: Are You in Compliance?
Dealers should understand that the ”hazmat transportation regulations” actually consist of multiple, similar-sounding regulations across different federal agencies and even across different countries.
[U]The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR )[/U]Dealership employees who perform one or more packaging, hazmat transportation or pre-transportation functions are subject to the HMR, including applicable training requirements. Dealerships handling hazmat should become familiar with applicable provisions of the HMR.
[U]International Standards[/U]Among international standards are:
Canada’s Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) The U.S. and Canada have a reciprocity agreement allowing the use of each other’s standards for transport of hazmat between them. Mexico’s Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOMs) As the U.S. does not have a reciprocity agreement with Mexico, the U.S. requires that all shipments to and from Mexico comply with the HMR. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions These are the official rules for the transport of hazmat aboard aircraft. Although these rules are closely aligned with the HMR, there are some important differences. Many air carriers require compliance with the International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Regulations, which are generally more restrictive than the ICAO Technical Instructions. International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code These are the official rules for the transport of hazmat aboard passenger and cargo vessels. Many carriers require compliance with international standards as a matter of business practice.
[U]U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (Hazcom)[/U]The hazcom or ”Right-to-Know” standard requires dealerships to classify and identify chemical hazards to which employees might be exposed.
[U]U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazardous Waste Rules.[/U]The EPA administers various rules governing hazardous waste.
This article is excerpted from The Federal Hazmat Transportation Regulations: Third Edition (L37). The publication can be ordered online at www.nada.org/mecatalog or by calling NADA at 800-252-NADA, ext. 2.
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