Spring 2020 Regulatory Agenda Published

The Spring 2020 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and De-regulatory Actions was released just in time for the Independence Day.

Lion Members: Watch your inbox for a Bulletin that breaks down the hazardous materials, environmental, and safety rulemaking activity that’s relevant to you.

Or login to Lion.com/Members to view the Bulletin later today. All Member Bulletins are available under your Regulation Updates tab. 

New Hazmat Rules on Tap

Hazardous materials regulations planned for the second half of 2020 include standards for liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail, bolstered rules for lithium batteries by air, revisions concerning DOT-spec cylinders, and adoption of miscellaneous petitions from industry.  

More Hazmat Harmony on the Way

US DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) cleared one item from its to-do list last month when they released Final Rule HM 215-O to harmonize 49 CFR regulations with evolving international standards.

Another harmonization rule is coming right behind the May rulemaking. PHMSA plans to propose HM 215-P in August this year.

EPA's 2020–21 Plans 

Rulemakings that EPA expects to complete in 2020 cover topics like national drinking water regulations for perchlorate, lead, and copper; reclassification of some sources under the Clean Air Act; and streamlined hazardous waste management standards for defective or recalled airbags.

EPA’s rule to modernize the testing criteria for D001 ignitable hazardous wastes is now final and takes effect on September 8, 2020.

Safety Regs to Watch For

OSHA’s list of forthcoming rulemakings includes an update to the Hazard Communication System (HCS). In 2012, OSHA harmonized the HCS with the Globally Harmonized System of Classifying and Labeling Chemicals (GHS). Since then, the GHS has been through a number of revisions. OSHA plans to update its standards to reflect the latest GHS later this year.

OSHA is also working on a modern lockout/tagout (LOTO) Standard that includes computer-based controls of hazardous energy. The powered industrial truck or “forklift” Standard will also get an update.

See the full Unified Agenda for Spring 2020 here. 

Tags: hazardous waste, hazmat shipping, lithium batteries, new rules, PFOA, PFOS