7 Important Obligations of Hazmat Shippers

Anyone shipping a hazardous material, as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 (49 CFR), has a number of obligations. This is the first of a series of Q&A’s about hazmat packaging and shipping obligations.

Who is required to receive Special Training to ship Hazardous Goods?

Any person or organization that offers a hazardous material for transportation must be trained in compliance with 49 CFR.

Is there a prescribed system for selecting the proper package for your Hazardous Goods?

Yes - Each hazardous material is classified by the Department of Transportation according to its danger level and is assigned a quantity limit based on the transportation mode. 

Are there financial penalties for not complying with Hazmat Regulations?

Yes - A shipper is required to follow the procedures outlined in 49 CFR.  Non-c
ompliance is a violation which could result in substantial fines.

What are the NEW Hazmat Package Closure Regulations effective Oct 1, 2010 and who is required to comply?

Among other important changes, the new regulations include provisions to improve package integrity, prevent leakage and revise the assembly and closure instructions that shippers use. 

Are you required to use the exact container qualified by the manufacturer of your Hazmat package?

Yes - The package manufacturer’s primary container must be used with their package.  If you substitute the container the manufacturer uses, you must use a container with the same design and specifications. 

Is your Hazardous material packaging supplier required to receive Special Training in Hazmat Regulations?

Yes - Anyone who sells a package represented as qualified for use in the transport of Hazardous Material must be trained and be in compliance with 49 CFR. 

Are you at risk as a shipper if your packaging supplier is not the Manufacturer of your Hazmat package?

Yes - If your supplier is not trained and certified in the requirements of Hazmat Package design, construction and performance, they may not possess the required knowledge about the packages they sell to you.  Your potential risks include your supplier sending the wrong package for your shipment or substituting an inferior or unqualified component in your packaging system. 

Now that you’ve read the Q&A’s,  take a short quiz and get access to more detailed answers and references to the enabling regulations here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While this overview is communicating our understanding of the most current regulations, LPS Industries LLC is not licensed to practice law or give legal advice. The reader should contact a competent resource of their choice or call the DOT Hotline at 800-437-4922 for help with specific issues about compliance with the regulations.