New Year's Resolution

摘要

While the rest of the northern hemisphere was taking its midwinter break, US regulators hurried through the final rule to bring the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) in line with international provisions. The rulemaking was issued on December 30 by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), allowing US shippers to take advantage of the international modal rule changes that took effect on January 1, 2009. It was not, however, published in the Federal Register until earlier this month, after this issue of the Bulletin had gone to press. It will take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, although voluntary compliance was authorised as from January 1.