[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14612-14613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7042]
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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 35th session of the
United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous
Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held June 22-26, 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, and comments relative to a potential future
rulemaking action regarding the use and applicability of international
standards.
Information Regarding the UNSCOE TDG Meeting
DATES: Wednesday, June 17, 2009; 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, West
Building, Oklahoma City Conference Room, 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/hazmat/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 35th session of the UNSCOE TDG. The 35th session of
the UNSCOE TDG is the first meeting in the current 2009-2010 biennium.
The UNSCOE will consider proposals for the 16th Revised Edition of the
United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Model Regulations which will come into force in the international
regulations from 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 (EDT) for documentation
purposes;
Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA);
Global harmonization of transport of dangerous goods
regulations with the UN Model Regulations;
Guiding principles for the Model Regulations; and
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/intemational.
Finally, PHMSA is soliciting comments regarding a potential future
rulemaking action regarding the use of international regulations, in
particular the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical
Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous
[[Page 14613]]
Goods by Air (ICAOTI) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods
Code (IMDG Code). PHMSA is considering proposing to mandate the use of
these regulations for the international transportation (see 49 CFR
171.8) of hazardous materials by aircraft or vessel. PHMSA requests
comments regarding this prospective proposal. PHMSA is interested in
comments including, but not limited to, comments related to the safety
and economic implications of mandating the use of these regulations for
international shipments, as well as implications to training of
personnel.
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 35th 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.
Theodore L. Willke,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. E9-7042 Filed 3-30-09; 8:45 am]
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