[Federal Register: November 7, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 215)]
[Notices]
[Page 62906-62907]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07no07-105]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
International Standards on the Transport of Dangerous Goods;
Public Notice
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice is to advise interested persons that PHMSA will
conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 32nd session of the
United Nation's Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous
Goods (UNSCOE) to be held December 3-7, 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland. In
addition, input will be solicited on a five year agenda prioritizing
PHMSA's international work.
DATES: Tuesday, November 27, 2007; 9:30 am-1:30 pm.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the new DOT Headquarters, West
Building, Oklahoma City Conference Room, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Duane Pfund, Director, Office of
International Standards, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety,
Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0656.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose of this meeting will be
to prepare for the 32nd session of the UNSCOE and to discuss draft U.S.
positions on UNSCOE proposals. The 32nd session of the UNSCOE is the
second meeting in the current biennium cycle. The UNSCOE will consider
proposals for the 16th Revised Edition of the United Nations
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations
which will come into force in the international regulations from
January 1, 2011. Topics to be covered during the public meetings
include:
Transport of limited quantities and consumer commodities,
classification of corrosive substances, provisions for training of
personnel, use of electronic documentation, subsidiary labeling for
toxic by inhalation liquids, requirements for cryogenic receptacles,
provisions for impact testing of portable tanks, requirements for
lithium batteries, fumigated units and dry ice, harmonization with the
IAEA Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials,
guiding principles for the development of the Model Regulations, and
various miscellaneous proposals related to listing, classification, and
hazard communication.
In addition to the discussion on proposals to be submitted to the
UNSCOE, time will be provided to discuss two issues of importance to
our stakeholders: (1) Transport of limited quantities and consumer
commodities, and (2) docket HM-215F. The discussion on limited
quantities will be for the purpose of summarizing progress made during
the first year of the biennium and identifying a way forward for
further work during the second year. The discussion on HM-215F will
include a review of the recently issued corrections document under the
same docket, and will provide time for any additional comments
regarding the conditions and limitations for the use of international
regulations.
Finally, PHMSA is soliciting comments on how to further enhance
harmonization for international transport of hazardous materials. PHMSA
is developing a five year plan to address international harmonization
and welcomes input on items which stakeholders believe should be
included in this plan.
The public is invited to attend without prior notification. Due to
the heightened security measures participants are encouraged to arrive
early to allow time for security checks necessary to obtain access to
the building. In lieu of conducting a public meeting after the 32nd
session of the UNSCOE to present the results of the session, PHMSA will
place a copy of the Sub-Committee's report and an updated copy of the
pre-meeting summary document on PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Safety
[[Page 62907]]
hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/intstandards.htm.
Documents
Copies of documents for the UNSCOE meeting and the meeting agenda
may be obtained by downloading them from the United Nations Transport
Division's Web site at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc/c32007.html.
This site may also be accessed through PHMSA's Hazardous
Materials Safety Web site at: http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/intstandards.htm.
PHMSA's site provides additional information
regarding the UNSCOE and related matters such as a summary of decisions
taken at previous sessions of the UNSCOE.
Robert A. Richard,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 07-5544 Filed 11-6-07; 8:45 am]
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