WHO REGULATES HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXPORTS?
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT), Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 CFR Parts 171-180) regulates the transportation of products that contain, or are packaged with hazardous materials. The regulations apply to transport by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle or vessel shipped interstate, intrastate or across national borders. Several international organizations have codes that may be used as an alternative to the DOT regulations. The United Nations issued performance standards for packaging, which are used in the international codes. Most commonly referenced are the International Maritime Organization’s Dangerous Goods Code and the International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Regulations which are based on technical instructions from the International Civil Aviation Organization. International codes, which are often more stringent, may be used as an alternative to DOT regulations for interstate, intrastate or international transport. Restrictions and limita
