Federal Register #2026-15820

PHMSA Final Rule: Regulatory Relief for Transport of Empty Hazardous Material IBCs

This final rule from the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) updates regulations for transporting hazardous materials: - Government buyer: - Department of Transportation (DOT) - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) - No OEMs or vendors are named, as this is a regulatory update, not a procurement - No products or services are being requested or purchased - Key regulatory changes: - Adopts DOT special permit 21478 into the Hazardous Materials Regulations - Allows empty Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) with only hazardous material residue to be transported without shipping papers, placards, or UN identification numbers - Aligns treatment of these IBCs with non-bulk packagings - Requires overpacks to be marked with limited quantity markings - Requires a document (paper or electronic) indicating the number of IBCs containing hazardous materials for each class or division transported - The rule is designed to reduce regulatory burdens and paperwork for affected entities

Description

This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by adopting the provisions of DOT special permit 21478. It allows empty Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) with residual hazardous material to be transported without shipping papers, placards, and UN ID numbers. The rule aims to provide relief from certain hazardous material transportation requirements, aligning the treatment of empty IBCs with that of non-bulk packagings. The rule is effective September 3, 2026, and is issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration under the Department of Transportation.

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