What does 49 CFR 171.22 (Authorization and conditions for the use of international standards and regulations) require?

Short answer

Four things are required for the use of international standards and regulations:

1. The hazardous material must be offered for transportation or transported in conformance with the applicable international standard or regulation.

2. The hazardous material must conform to all applicable requirements of this subpart.

3. A material designated as a hazardous material under this subchapter, but excepted from or not subject to the international transport standards and regulations, must be transported in accordance with all applicable requirements of this subchapter.

4. No person may offer for transportation or transport a hazardous material that is a forbidden material or package as designated in certain sections of this subchapter.

The rule says

"A hazardous material that is offered for transportation or transported in accordance with the international standards and regulations authorized in paragraph (a) of this section (1) Is subject to the requirements of the applicable international standard or regulation and must be offered for transportation or transported in conformance with the applicable standard or regulation" (49 CFR 171.22(b))

"Must conform to all applicable requirements of this subpart." (49 CFR 171.22(b))

"A material designated as a hazardous material under this subchapter, but excepted from or not subject to the international transport standards and regulations authorized in paragraph (a) of this section... must be transported in accordance with all applicable requirements of this subchapter." (49 CFR 171.22(c))

"No person may offer for transportation or transport a hazardous material that is a forbidden material or package as designated in... " (49 CFR 171.22(e))

In plain English

The regulation allows for the use of international standards and regulations for the transportation of hazardous materials, but with certain conditions and limitations. The hazardous material must comply with the applicable international standard or regulation, as well as all applicable requirements of this subpart. If a material is excepted from or not subject to international transport standards and regulations, it must still be transported in accordance with all applicable requirements of this subchapter. Additionally, forbidden materials or packages are not allowed to be transported. In practice, this means that shippers and carriers must ensure that they are complying with both the international standards and regulations, as well as the applicable requirements of this subpart.

What to do

• Verify that the hazardous material is being offered for transportation or transported in conformance with the applicable international standard or regulation.
• Ensure that the hazardous material conforms to all applicable requirements of this subpart.
• Check if the material is excepted from or not subject to international transport standards and regulations, and transport it in accordance with all applicable requirements of this subchapter if so.
• Confirm that the material is not a forbidden material or package as designated in certain sections of this subchapter.