PHMSA Final Rule Amends HMR to Maintain Consistency with International Regulations. The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today issued a final rule that amends the U.S. Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR) to maintain consistency with international regulations and standards. The amendments to the HMR include changes to proper shipping names; hazard classes; packing groups; special provisions; packaging authorizations; air transport quantity limitations; and vessel stowage requirements. The revisions harmonize the HMR with recent changes in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods—Model Regulations. In addition, several amendments resulted from coordination with Canada under the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council. Prior to adoption, PHMSA considers each amendment on its own merit; PHMSA seeks to promote consistency without diminishing transportation safety or imposing undue burden on the regulatory community. The final rule is effective with voluntary compliance beginning January 1, 2017. Mandatory compliance begins January 1, 2018, unless otherwise specified. For more information on DOT's efforts to improve hazardous materials safety and awareness, or to access the HMR, visit the PHMSA website at www.phmsa.dot.gov. Contact for media: Patricia Klinger (202) 366-4831.