2137-AE44 201410 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 2137 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration PHMSA 2100 Department of Transportation DOT Hazardous Materials: Transportation of Lithium Batteries

This rulemaking amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations to comprehensively address the safe transportation of lithium cells and batteries. The rulemaking strengthened the regulatory framework by imposing more effective safeguards, including design testing to address risks related to internal short circuits, and enhanced packaging, hazard communication, and operational measures for various types and sizes of lithium batteries in specific transportation contexts. The rulemaking responded to several recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board.

]]> Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Completed Actions No No 49 CFR 171 49 CFR 172 49 CFR 173 49 CFR 175 49 USC 5101 et seq No NPRM 01/11/2010 75 FR 1302 NPRM Comment Period End 03/12/2010 Notice 04/11/2012 77 FR 21714 Notice Comment Period End 05/11/2012 NPRM; Request for Additional Comments 01/07/2013 78 FR 1119 Additional Comments Period End 03/08/2013 Final Rule 08/06/2014 79 FR 46011 Final Rule Effective 08/06/2014 PHMSA-2009-0095; HM-224F; SB - Y, IC - N, SLT - N; PHMSA estimated that the costs of this rule would total $12.1 million over the next 10 years when applying a 3 percent discount rate, and $10.8 million when applying a 7 percent rate. PHMSA also developed high and low cost estimates to incorporate uncertainty in quantifying costs--at a 7 percent discount rate the low estimate of costs is $7.4 million and the high estimate is $15.0 million. These figures acknowledge that the HMR already authorize the use of the ICAO Technical Instructions and the IMDG Code for most lithium battery shipments. Yes Businesses None No No www.regulations.gov www.regulations.gov Yes Yes Kevin Leary Transportation Specialist 2137 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration PHMSA 202-366-8553 kevin.leary@dot.gov 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20590