Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and public meeting.
Summary
RSPA proposes to amend certain requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to establish four new DOT cylinder specifications and to revise the requirements for maintenance, requalification, and repair of all DOT specification cylinders. In addition, RSPA proposes to: revise the requirements for approval of cylinder requalifiers, independent inspection agencies, and nondomestic chemical analysis and tests; revise the cylinder requalification, maintenance and repair requirements; and to revise the requirements for hazardous materials that are authorized to be offered for transportation in cylinders. Finally, this NPRM incorporates a proposal to remove from use aluminum alloy 6351-T6 that was published in an advance notice under Docket HM-176A and terminates that docket (RIN: 2131-AB51). This action is being taken to--simplify the HMR for construction of cylinders; provide for flexibility in the design, construction and use of cylinders; recognize recent advances in cylinder manufacturing and requalification technologies; promote safety though simplification of the regulations; reduce the need for exemptions; and facilitate international commerce. The intended effect of this action is to enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials in cylinders.