Ask X3What does 49 CFR 172.201 (Preparation and retention of shipping papers) require?
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Short answer
49 CFR 172.201 requires that shipping papers for hazardous materials include specific information, such as the description of the hazardous material, and that they be retained for a certain period. The regulation also outlines the requirements for the contents of shipping papers, including the use of English, the prohibition on codes or abbreviations, and the inclusion of additional information.
The rule says
"A shipping paper may contain additional information concerning the material provided the information is not inconsistent with the required description." (49 CFR 172.201(a)(4))
"Each person who provides a shipping paper must retain a copy of the shipping paper required by 172.200" (49 CFR 172.201(e))
In plain English
The requirements for shipping papers help to prevent accidents and ensure that emergency responders have the information they need in case of an incident. The retention of shipping papers is also important for auditing and compliance purposes. In practice, this means that shippers and carriers must have a system in place for generating, distributing, and retaining shipping papers that meet the regulatory requirements.
What to do
- Ensure that shipping papers include all required information, such as the description of the hazardous material and the emergency response telephone number.
- Retain a copy of the shipping paper for the required period, which is typically one year after the material is accepted by the carrier.
- Implement a system for generating, distributing, and retaining shipping papers that meets the regulatory requirements.
- Verify that shipping papers are accurate and complete before they are used for transportation.