Billing Code - PHMSA - Department of Transportation

FBCs. A righting test is used to measure a packaging’s ability to withstand lifting from a
lying position at a given rate of speed and is used to determine if a package is suitable to
transport hazardous materials. Thus, PHMSA is adding new § 178.1065 entitled “Righting
test.” This section prescribes the preparation of test samples, test methods authorized, and
criteria for passing the righting test.
Section 178.1070
In this final rule, PHMSA is adopting requirements for tear tests conducted on
FBCs. A tear test is used to measure a packaging’s ability to withstand shearing and
tearing that may be encountered during transportation, such as loading and unloading, and
is used to determine if a package is suitable to transport hazardous materials. Thus,
PHMSA is adding new § 178.1070 entitled “Tear test.” This section prescribes the
preparation of test samples, test methods authorized, and criteria for passing the tear test.
V. Regulatory Analyses and Notices
A. Statutory/Legal Authority for this Rulemaking
This final rule is published under the following statutory authorities:
1. 49 U.S.C. 5103(b) authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe
regulations for the safe transportation, including security, of hazardous materials in
intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce. This final rule amends regulations to maintain
alignment with international standards by incorporating various amendments, including
changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions,
packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations and vessel stowage
requirements. To this end, this final rule amends the HMR to more fully align with the
biennial updates of the UN Model Regulations, the IMDG Code, and the ICAO Technical
127