PHMSA Schedules Three Public Prep Sessions Ahead of International Dangerous Goods Meetings
According to Safety+Health Magazine, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is hosting three public preparatory sessions ahead of upcoming international meetings on the transport of dangerous goods, with the first virtual session scheduled for May 28.
What’s on the Table
PHMSA published a notice on April 22 stating it will solicit public input on current proposals ahead of each international meeting. The three prep sessions correspond to separate international bodies and timelines.
The first prep meeting, set for 9 a.m. Eastern on May 28 via Google Meet, precedes the 68th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG), running June 29 through July 8 in Geneva.
The second prep meeting, expected in late August or early September, precedes an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel Working Group session scheduled for October in Montreal. That group is expected to consider proposals for the 2029-2030 edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.
The third prep meeting, likely in October, precedes the 69th UNSCOE TDG session set for November 23 through December 1 in Geneva. That session is expected to work on the 25th revised edition of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Participate while you can. PHMSA is accepting public input at each prep session. Field service companies that transport hazardous materials have a direct opportunity to comment before international proposals advance.
- Watch for rule revisions. Changes to the UN Model Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions can eventually filter into US domestic hazmat transport rules. Subcontractors moving dangerous goods by road, rail, or air should track outcomes from these sessions.
- Mark the May 28 date now. The first prep meeting is less than five weeks out. Companies that want to weigh in on proposals affecting the June-July Geneva session need to register and prepare input quickly.
- Check PHMSA’s website for session two details. The ICAO prep meeting date has not been officially announced. PHMSA has stated it will post the official notice on its website when confirmed.
