[Federal Register: October 19, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 200)]
[Notices]               
[Page 53579]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc09-111]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

 
International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods; 
Public Meeting

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to advise interested persons that PHMSA will 
conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 36th session of the 
United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous 
Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held November 30-December 9, 2009 in Geneva, 
Switzerland. During this meeting, PHMSA is also soliciting comments 
relative to potential new work items which may be considered for 
inclusion in its international agenda.

Information Regarding The UNSCOE TDG Meeting

DATES: Tuesday, November 10, 2009; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    Conference Call Capability/Live Meeting Information: Conference 
call-in and ``live meeting'' capability will be provided for this 
meeting. Specific information on call-in and live meeting access will 
be posted when available at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regs/
international.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Duane Pfund, Director, Office of 
International Standards or Mr. Shane Kelley, International 
Transportation Specialist, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, 
Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0656.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose of this meeting will be 
to prepare for the 36th session of the UNSCOE TDG, which is the second 
meeting of the current 2009-2010 biennium. The UNSCOE will consider 
proposals for the 17th Revised Edition of the United Nations 
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations 
which will come into force in the international regulations beginning 
January 1, 2013. Topics on the agenda for the UNSCOE TDG meeting 
include:
     Explosives and related matters.
     Listing, classification and packing.
     Electric storage systems.
     Miscellaneous proposals of amendments to the Model 
Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
     Electronic data interchange (EDI) for documentation 
purposes.
     Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA).
     Global harmonization of transport of dangerous goods 
regulations with the Model Regulations.
     Guiding principles for the Model Regulations.
     Issues relating to the Globally Harmonized System of 
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
    In addition, PHMSA is soliciting comments on how to further enhance 
harmonization for international transport of hazardous materials. PHMSA 
has finalized a broad international strategic plan and welcomes input 
on items which stakeholders believe should be included as specific 
initiatives within this plan. PHMSA's Office of International Standards 
Strategic Plan can be accessed at: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/
regs/international.
    The public is invited to attend without prior notification. Due to 
the heightened security measures participants are encouraged to arrive 
early to allow time for security checks necessary to obtain access to 
the building. Following the 36th session of the UNSCOE TDG, PHMSA will 
place a copy of the Sub-Committee's report and a summary of the results 
on PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Safety Homepage at http://
www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/international.

Documents

    Copies of documents for the UNSCOE TDG meeting and the meeting 
agenda may be obtained by downloading them from the United Nations 
Transport Division's Web site at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/
dgsubc/c32009.html. PHMSA's site at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/
regs/international also provides additional information regarding the 
UNSCOE TDG and related matters such as summaries of decisions taken at 
previous sessions of the UNSCOE TDG.

Dr. Magdy El-Sibaie,
Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. E9-24891 Filed 10-16-09; 8:45 am]

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