§5103. General regulatory authority

(a) Designating Material as Hazardous.-The Secretary shall designate material (including an explosive, radioactive material, infectious substance, flammable or combustible liquid, solid, or gas, toxic, oxidizing, or corrosive material, and compressed gas) or a group or class of material as hazardous when the Secretary determines that transporting the material in commerce in a particular amount and form may pose an unreasonable risk to health and safety or property.

(b) Regulations for Safe Transportation.-(1) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for the safe transportation, including security, of hazardous material in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce. The regulations-

(A) apply to a person who-

(i) transports hazardous material in commerce;

(ii) causes hazardous material to be transported in commerce;

(iii) designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs, or tests a package, container, or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in transporting hazardous material in commerce;

(iv) prepares or accepts hazardous material for transportation in commerce;

(v) is responsible for the safety of transporting hazardous material in commerce;

(vi) certifies compliance with any requirement under this chapter; or

(vii) misrepresents whether such person is engaged in any activity under clause (i) through (vi); and

(B) shall govern safety aspects, including security, of the transportation of hazardous material the Secretary considers appropriate.

(2) A proceeding to prescribe the regulations must be conducted under section 553 of title 5, including an opportunity for informal oral presentation.

(c) Federally Declared Disasters and Emergencies.-

(1) In general.-The Secretary may by order waive compliance with any part of an applicable standard prescribed under this chapter without prior notice and comment and on terms the Secretary considers appropriate if the Secretary determines that-

(A) it is in the public interest to grant the waiver;

(B) the waiver is not inconsistent with the safety of transporting hazardous materials; and

(C) the waiver is necessary to facilitate the safe movement of hazardous materials into, from, and within an area of a major disaster or emergency that has been declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).

(2) Period of waiver.-A waiver under this subsection may be issued for a period of not more than 60 days and may be renewed upon application to the Secretary only after notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the waiver. The Secretary shall immediately revoke the waiver if continuation of the waiver would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of this chapter.

(3) Statement of reasons.-The Secretary shall include in any order issued under this section the reasons for granting the waiver.

(d) Consultation.-When prescribing a security regulation or issuing a security order that affects the safety of the transportation of hazardous material, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of Transportation.

(e) Biennial Report.-The Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation a biennial report providing information on whether the Secretary has designated as hazardous materials for purposes of chapter 51 of such title all by-products of the methamphetamine-production process that are known by the Secretary to pose an unreasonable risk to health and safety or property when transported in commerce in a particular amount and form.

( Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 761 ; Pub. L. 103–311, title I, §117(a)(2), Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1678 ; Pub. L. 103–429, §6(3), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4378 ; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1711(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2319 ; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, §§7103, 7126, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1893 , 1909; Pub. L. 109–177, title VII, §741, Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 272 ; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VII, §7201, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1589 .)

Historical and Revision Notes
Pub. L. 103–272

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
5103(a)	49 App.:1803.	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §104, 88 Stat. 2156 .
5103(b)	49 App.:1804(a) (1)–(3).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §105(a)(1)–(3), 88 Stat. 2157 ; restated Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, §4, 104 Stat. 3247 .

In subsection (a), the words "such quantity and form of material" and "in his discretion" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the words "in accordance with section 553 of title 5" are omitted because 5:553 applies unless otherwise stated. In clause (A)(i), the words "hazardous material in commerce", and in clause (A)(ii), the words "hazardous material . . . in commerce", are added for consistency in this chapter.

Pub. L. 103–429

This amends 49:5103(b)(2) to clarify the restatement of 49 App.:1804(a)(2) by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 761).

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(C), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143 , which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§5121 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of Title 42 and Tables.

Amendments

2015-Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 114–94 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively.

2006-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–177 added subsec. (d).

2005-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, §7126, substituted "Secretary shall designate" for "Secretary of Transportation shall designate".

Pub. L. 109–59, §7103(a), substituted "infectious substance, flammable or combustible liquid, solid, or gas, toxic, oxidizing, or corrosive material," for "etiologic agent, flammable or combustible liquid or solid, poison, oxidizing or corrosive material," and "determines" for "decides".

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–59, §7103(b), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: "apply to a person-

"(i) transporting hazardous material in commerce;

"(ii) causing hazardous material to be transported in commerce; or

"(iii) manufacturing, fabricating, marking, maintaining, reconditioning, repairing, or testing a packaging or a container that is represented, marked, certified, or sold by that person as qualified for use in transporting hazardous material in commerce; and".

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 109–59, §7103(c)(1), struck out heading and text of subpar. (C). Text read as follows: "When prescribing a security regulation or issuing a security order that affects the safety of the transportation of hazardous material, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, §7103(c)(2), added subsec. (c).

2002-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 107–296, §1711(a)(1), substituted "transportation, including security," for "transportation" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 107–296, §1711(a)(2), substituted "aspects, including security," for "aspects".

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 107–296, §1711(a)(3), added subpar. (C).

1994-Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 103–311 substituted "a packaging or a" for "a package or".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted "be conducted under section 553 of title 5, including" for "include" and "presentation" for "presentations".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–429 effective July 5, 1994, see section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

GAO Study on Acceptance of Classification Examinations

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VII, §7207, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1592 , provided that:

"(a) In General.-Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Comptroller General of the United States shall evaluate and transmit to the Secretary [of Transportation], the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a report on the standards, metrics, and protocols that the Secretary uses to regulate the performance of persons approved to recommend hazard classifications pursuant to section 173.56(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as 'third-party labs').

"(b) Evaluation.-The evaluation required under subsection (a) shall-

"(1) identify what standards and protocols are used to approve such persons, assess the adequacy of such standards and protocols to ensure that persons seeking approval are qualified and capable of performing classifications, and make recommendations to address any deficiencies identified;

"(2) assess the adequacy of the Secretary's oversight of persons approved to perform the classifications, including the qualification of individuals engaged in the oversight of approved persons, and make recommendations to enhance oversight sufficiently to ensure that classifications are issued as required;

"(3) identify what standards and protocols exist to rescind, suspend, or deny approval of persons who perform such classifications, assess the adequacy of such standards and protocols, and make recommendations to enhance such standards and protocols if necessary; and

"(4) include annual data for fiscal years 2005 through 2015 on the number of applications received for new classifications pursuant to section 173.56(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, of those applications how many classifications recommended by persons approved by the Secretary were changed to another classification and the reasons for the change, and how many hazardous materials incidents have been attributed to a classification recommended by such approved persons in the United States.

"(c) Action Plan.-Not later than 180 days after receiving the report required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make available to the public a plan describing any actions the Secretary will take to establish standards, metrics, and protocols based on the findings and recommendations in the report to ensure that persons approved to perform classification examinations required under section 173.56(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, can sufficiently perform such examinations in a manner that meets the hazardous materials regulations.

"(d) Regulations.-If the report required under subsection (a) recommends new regulations in order for the Secretary to have confidence in the accuracy of classification recommendations rendered by persons approved to perform classification examinations required under section 173.56(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, the Secretary shall consider such recommendations, and if determined appropriate, issue regulations to address the recommendations not later than 18 months after the date of the publication of the plan under subsection (c)."

Railroad Carrier Employee Exposure to Radiation Study

Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title IV, §411, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4888 , provided that:

"(a) Study.-The Secretary of Transportation shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Labor, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as appropriate, conduct a study of the potential hazards to which employees of railroad carriers and railroad contractors or subcontractors are exposed during the transportation of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel (as defined in section 5101(a) [probably means section 5105(a)] of title 49, United States Code), supplementing the report submitted under section 5101(b) [probably means section 5105(b)] of that title, which may include-

"(1) an analysis of the potential application of 'as low as reasonably achievable' principles for exposure to radiation to such employees with an emphasis on the need for special protection from radiation exposure for such employees during the first trimester of pregnancy or who are undergoing or have recently undergone radiation therapy;

"(2) the feasibility of requiring real-time dosimetry monitoring for such employees;

"(3) the feasibility of requiring routine radiation exposure monitoring in fixed railroad locations, such as yards and repair facilities; and

"(4) a review of the effectiveness of the Department's packaging requirements for radioactive materials.

"(b) Report.-Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the Secretary of Transportation shall transmit a report on the results of the study required by subsection (a) and any recommendations to further protect employees of a railroad carrier or of a contractor or subcontractor to a railroad carrier from unsafe exposure to radiation during the transportation of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

"(c) Regulatory Authority.-The Secretary of Transportation may issue regulations that the Secretary determines appropriate, pursuant to the report required by subsection (b), to protect railroad employees from unsafe exposure to radiation during the transportation of radioactive materials."

[For definitions of "railroad carrier", "Department", "railroad", and "Secretary", as used in section 411 of Pub. L. 110–432, set out above, see section 2(a) of Pub. L. 110–432, set out as a note under section 20102 of this title.]

Safe Placement of Train Cars

Pub. L. 103–311, title I, §111, Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1676 , provided that: "The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study of existing practices regarding the placement of cars on trains, with particular attention to the placement of cars that carry hazardous materials. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider whether such placement practices increase the risk of derailment, hazardous materials spills, or tank ruptures or have any other adverse effect on safety. The results of the study shall be submitted to Congress within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 26, 1994]."

Fiber Drum Packaging

Pub. L. 104–88, title IV, §406, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 957 , provided that:

"(a) In General.-In the administration of chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a final rule within 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1995] authorizing the continued use of fiber drum packaging with a removable head for the transportation of liquid hazardous materials with respect to those liquid hazardous materials transported by such drums pursuant to regulations in effect on September 30, 1991, if-

"(1) the packaging is in compliance with regulations of the Secretary under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act [former 49 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.] as in effect on September 30, 1991; and

"(2) the packaging will not be used for the transportation of hazardous materials that include materials which are poisonous by inhalation or materials in Packing Groups I and II.

"(b) Expiration.-The regulation referred to in subsection (a) shall expire on the later of September 30, 1997, or the date on which funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code (relating to transportation of hazardous materials), for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1997.

"(c) Study.-

"(1) In general.-Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1995], the Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study-

"(A) to determine whether the requirements of section 5103(b) of title 49, United States Code (relating to regulations for safe transportation), as they pertain to fiber drum packaging with a removable head can be met for the transportation of liquid hazardous materials (with respect to those liquid hazardous materials transported by such drums pursuant to regulations in effect on September 30, 1991) with standards (including fiber drum industry standards set forth in a June 8, 1992, exemption application submitted to the Department of Transportation), other than the performance-oriented packaging standards adopted under docket number HM–181 contained in part 178 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations; and

"(B) to determine whether a packaging standard (including such fiber drum industry standards), other than such performance-oriented packaging standards, will provide an equal or greater level of safety for the transportation of liquid hazardous materials than would be provided if such performance-oriented packaging standards were in effect.

"(2) Completion.-The study shall be completed before March 1, 1997 and shall be transmitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives.

"(d) Secretarial Action.-By September 30, 1997, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to determine what standards should apply to fiber drum packaging with a removable head for transportation of liquid hazardous materials (with respect to those liquid hazardous materials transported by such drums pursuant to regulations in effect on September 30, 1991) after September 30, 1997. In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall give full and substantial consideration to the results of the study conducted in subsection (c)."

Pub. L. 103–311, title I, §122, Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1681 , provided that:

"(a) Initiation of Rulemaking Proceeding.-Not later than the 60th day following the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 26, 1994], the Secretary of Transportation shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to determine whether the requirements of section 5103(b) of title 49, United States Code (relating to regulations for safe transportation), as they pertain to open head fiber drum packaging can be met for the domestic transportation of liquid hazardous materials (with respect to those classifications of liquid hazardous materials transported by such drums pursuant to regulations in effect on September 30, 1991) with standards other than the performance-oriented packaging standards adopted under docket number HM–181 contained in part 178 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

"(b) Issuance of Standards.-If the Secretary of Transportation determines, as a result of the rulemaking proceeding initiated under subsection (a), that a packaging standard other than the performance-oriented packaging standards referred to in subsection (a) will provide an equal or greater level of safety for the domestic transportation of liquid hazardous materials than would be provided if such performance-oriented packaging standards were in effect, the Secretary shall issue regulations which implement such other standard and which take effect before October 1, 1996.

"(c) Completion of Rulemaking Proceeding.-The rulemaking proceeding initiated under subsection (a) shall be completed before October 1, 1995.

"(d) Limitations.-

"(1) The provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to packaging for those hazardous materials regulated by the Department of Transportation as poisonous by inhalation under chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code.

"(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from issuing or enforcing regulations for the international transportation of hazardous materials."