Document ID: PHMSA-2010-0245-0001
Agency: phmsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Elimination of Expiration Dates for Classification Approvals
Posted Date: 2010-09-07T04:00Z

[Federal Register: September 7, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 172)]
[Notices]               
[Page 54419]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07se10-87]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2010-0245; Notice No. 10-6]

 
Notice: Elimination of Expiration Dates for Classification 
Approvals

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In 2005, PHMSA initiated a policy imposing a 5-year expiration 
date on firework classification approvals to ensure that background 
information supporting the approval is current and applicable, 
information is up-to-date and complete, obsolete approvals are 
eliminated from the PHMSA database, and approvals are amended with new 
requirements and/or methods as necessary. In 2009, this policy was 
extended to include all types of classification approvals, including 
explosives, oxidizing substances, organic peroxide materials and self-
reactive substances. PHMSA is changing its policy and eliminating 
expiration dates for classification approvals because the policy has 
had unanticipated effects since its implementation. For instance, 
explosives assigned EX numbers, and self-reactive materials and organic 
peroxide materials, assigned CA numbers, have a shelf life far beyond 
the 5-year expiration date. Consequently, a product shipped in 
accordance with a classification approval with a 5-year expiration date 
becomes ineligible for domestic transport on the date the approval 
expires despite the product continuing to be safe for transport.
    Existing classification approvals with expiration dates will be 
reissued by PHMSA in accordance with the change of policy. While 
expiration dates for classification approvals will be eliminated, PHMSA 
retains the authority to issue approvals with expiration dates on a 
case-by-case basis.

DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of these amendments is 
September 7, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ryan Paquet, Technical Advisor, 
Office of Hazardous Materials Special Permits and Approvals, (202) 366-
4512, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 31, 2010 under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR part 1.
Magdy El-Sibaie,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-22138 Filed 9-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P