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PHH50-0064-0905
The two major international regulations referenced in the

HMR are the International Civil Aviation OrganizationTechnical Instructions for the Safe Transport of DangerousGoods by Air (ICAO TI), and the International MaritimeDangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). There are certainlimitations governing their use within the United States. The ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport ofDangerous Goods by Air (ICAO TI)Virtually all shipments of hazardous materials transportedinternationally by air, as well as most domestic U.S.shipments, are transported in accordance with the ICAO TI.The U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations authorizetransport in accordance with the ICAO TI provided all of the conditions of 49 CFR 171.11 are met. A goodunderstanding of 171.11 is essential to ensure thatcompliance with these conditions is achieved. For example,shipments made in accordance with the ICAO TI remainsubject to Part 175 of the HMR and the emergencyresponse information provisions of subpart G of Part 172.The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code(IMDG Code)The IMDG Code contains regulations applicable to thetransport of dangerous goods by sea. If all or part of ashipment of hazardous materials is made by vessel to,from, or within the United States, the HMR allow theshipment to be made in accordance with the IMDG Code,provided certain additional provisions are satisfied. Theseadditional provisions are found in 49 CFR 171.12. Just asone must consult 171.11 when using the ICAO TI, onemust also consult 171.12 to ensure that a shipment madein accordance with the IMDG Code is acceptable fortransportation within the United States.

Is there additional reciprocity provided for in the HMR forshipments made to or from Canada?Yes, in addition to the use of the ICAO TI and the IMDGCode, the HMR also address shipments prepared inaccordance with Canada’s Transport of Dangerous GoodsRegulations (TDG). As with the use of the ICAO TI andIMDG Code, certain conditions and limitations apply. Theseconditions and limitations are found in 49 CFR 171.12a. Is there any similar reciprocity provided from shipmentsmade to or from Mexico? Currently the HMR do not provide for reciprocity withMexico’s Hazardous Materials Standards (NormasOfficiales Mexicanos or NOMs). However, the MexicanNOMs are consistent to a great degree with the HMR,and also allow for the use of the ICAO TI and IMDGCode. A list of known differences between the HMR and the Mexican NOMs, as well as English translations of many relevant NOMs, is available athttp://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/mexico/nomslst.htm.What role does the United Nations play in harmonizationof hazardous materials transportation regulations?The United Nations Committee and Subcommittee ofExperts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN COEand SCOE) is composed of representatives from manycountries around the world. The UN SCOE meets twice ayear to discuss and ratify changes to the UN ModelRegulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The UNModel Regulations were developed as a tool to promoteconsistency in international hazardous materials regulationsworldwide. While they are not legally binding, they are usedas a basis for the international regulations, and the nationalregulations of many countries including the United States.More information regarding the UN Model Regulations maybe found at http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/untdg.htm.

are referenced in the U.S. 

Hazardous Material Regulations?

What International Regulations

Are reciprocity provisions provided forshipments made to or from Canada?Are similar reciprocity provisions providedfor shipments made to or from Mexico? What role does the United Nations play in harmonization of hazardous materialstransportation regulations?

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