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FAQs

  • What is HM-ACCESS?
    HM-ACCESS is a pilot project under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2012. Under the HM-ACCESS project, PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) is collaborating with modal administrations, law enforcement, emergency response organizations, and industry representatives to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of paperless hazardous materials communication systems to provide a level of safety equivalent to or better than the current paper-based hazardous materials shipping paper requirements. Allowing the use of electronic shipping papers for HM shipments is expected to:
    • Improve the availability and accuracy of hazard and response information for shipments and packages;
       
    • Improve the speed by which information is available to emergency responders when accidents or incidents occur;
       
    • Improve the security of imported containers through better knowledge of shipments; and
       
    • Enable U.S. companies to compete more effectively in the global economy by using the best tools available.
  • Why move to electronic shipping papers for HM shipments?
    Some large organizations, both private and public, have already moved to paperless communications technologies, including for use in HM Communication (HazComm), to take advantage of economic benefits and proven efficiencies. Moving toward an electronic HM communication environment has been a goal of PHMSA's since 2008. However, in the process of accelerating implementation of these new technologies, PHMSA does not want to overlook the concerns of safety professionals and small businesses.
     
  • Are electronic HM shipping papers mandatory?
    No. Existing HM shipping papers will not be replaced, as stated under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2012. The purpose of the HM-ACCESS research initiative is to demonstrate the potential of electronic shipping paper systems that may provide a level of safety equivalent to or better than the current paper requirement, thereby facilitating commercial efficiency while maintaining and possibly enhancing safety, as an alternative option under requirements set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart C. Communication among all stakeholders may lead PHMSA toward broader implementation in the future. Therefore, whether your organization has already adopted or intends to adopt a paperless HM communication system/concept in the future, it is in your organization's best interests to remain informed on this effort.
     
  • When will the pilot tests be conducted?
    HM-ACCESS pilot tests are scheduled to begin in early 2015.
     
  • Have other U.S. government agencies conducted similar projects or initiatives?
    Yes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Energy (DOE) have each implemented, or are planning to implement, an electronic hazardous materials (e-HM) communication initiative.
     
  • Will electronic communication of shipping papers be piloted in rural areas?
    Pursuant to § 33005 of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2012, at least one of the pilot projects conducted under HM-ACCESS will take place in a rural area. PHMSA is aware that some rural areas have limited connectivity. For example, an area a few miles outside of Denver, Colorado has very limited Internet access due to the geography in the area.
     
  • What is the difference between HM-ACCESS and the EPA's e-Manifest?
    EPA's e-Manifest is a system that is being established by EPA for tracking hazardous waste. HM-ACCESS is an initiative to determine the feasibility of utilizing electronic shipping papers for HM shipments (versus hazardous waste). HM-ACCESS is anticipated to result in a regulatory performance standard, not a system, to permit, rather than mandate, the use of electronic shipping papers.
     
  • Is HM-ACCESS an electronic system with a central database where all our company's data is stored for anyone to gain access?
    No. It is not PHMSA's goal to create a central database.
     
  • What is PHMSA doing to make sure that HM-ACCESS transitions smoothly with existing regulations?
    PHMSA is collaborating with modal administrations, the international community, and other HM stakeholders toward establishing a performance standard for electronic shipping papers with other related global harmonization efforts in mind. This will also allow for a variety of different electronic systems and technologies to meet the electronic HM shipping paper information performance standard.
     
  • My company's current method for communicating shipping papers works fine. How is moving to an electronic system going to help my company?
    PHMSA is identifying and eliminating barriers to allow for the use of electronic shipping papers. Many companies already see the business benefits from investing in electronic systems to track shipments to their customers. In many cases, these companies are also electronically maintaining the same information that is required on the shipping papers for financial, billing, and/or auditing purposes. Currently, such companies pull information from their electronic system into an HM shipping paper format and print it out for shipments to satisfy current paper-based requirements. Allowing electronic shipping papers will in many instances eliminate the need for such companies to print the HM shipping paper.
Last updated: Tuesday, March 21, 2017