By Elizabeth Dickinson, JD
The “Hazardous Materials: Harmonization with International Standards (RRR)” final rule was issued on January 8, 2015. Voluntary compliance with the new rule began January 1, 2015, with mandatory compliance delayed until January 1, 2016, unless otherwise specified (as it is for numerous provisions).
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As the January compliance date is almost here, it’s important to plan now what you will need to do in order to implement applicable new requirements as well as to recognize the provisions that will not need to be implemented by the first of the year.
The final rule is all about harmonizing the hazardous material regulations (HMR) with international standards such as The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO TI), and The United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Model Regulations).