Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin.
Short name: PHMSA
Pipeline safety, hazardous materials transportation, gas leak detection requirements.
Latest items
Open in Browser →Hazardous Materials: Allowing Fireworks Certification Agencies (FCAs) To Approve Professional Fireworks
This final rule expands the authority of a Fireworks Certification Agency (FCA) to obtain the ability to approve fireworks constructed to certain requirements. These amendments will streamline PHMSA's fireworks approval process and provide the industry with improved regulatory flexibility.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Actions on Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has granted or denied the application described herein.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for Modification to Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
Hazardous Materials: Adoption of Department of Transportation Special Permit 21379
This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by adopting the provisions of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) special permit (SP) 21379 to streamline the transportation of refrigerating machines and components containing certain low flammability refrigerant gases.
Hazardous Materials: Removing Burdensome Rail Reporting Requirements
This final rule reduces undue regulatory burdens by eliminating or replacing various rail transportation requirements that are either obsolete, overly burdensome, or conflict with other requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
Hazardous Materials: Reducing Recordkeeping Requirements for Domestic Carriers
This final rule amends the hazardous materials program procedures to allow motor and vessel carriers to carry PHMSA registration documents in electronic form.
Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account
This final rule modernizes the payment system for hazardous materials transportation registration fees by eliminating the option to pay by paper check and requiring electronic payment through the U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) e-Commerce internet site. This action improves processing efficiency, reduces administrative burden, and aligns payment procedures with current Government-wide electronic commerce practices.
Hazardous Materials: Remove Redundant List of U.S. EPA CERCLA Hazardous Substances
To improve efficiency and eliminate redundancy, this final rule streamlines the Hazardous Materials Regulations by modifying how hazardous substances are listed. Instead of maintaining a duplicative list, the regulations will now rely on the authoritative, comprehensive list already maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Hazardous Materials: Reducing Undue Paperwork Burdens to Domestic Carriers
This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by providing domestic carriers and facility operators the option to maintain electronic copies of emergency response information rather than requiring a hard copy printed on paper.
Hazardous Materials: Reducing Burdens on Domestic Aerosol Shippers
PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations by updating the definition of an aerosol to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens and maintain consistency with current international transportation standards.
Hazardous Materials: Adoption of Department of Transportation Special Permits 12412 and 11646 Into the Hazardous Materials Regulations
PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to adopt the provisions of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) special permit (SP) 12412 and DOT SP 11646. These amendments will provide greater regulatory flexibility and eliminate the need for special permit renewal requests, reducing paperwork burdens and facilitating commerce while maintaining an equivalent level of safety.
Hazardous Materials: Reducing Burdens by Allowing Continued Use of Department of Transportation Special Permit Packagings
This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by allowing for the continued use of packagings authorized under a manufacturing special permit for the useful life of the package. Manufacturing special permits typically authorize the manufacture, mark, sale, and use of the packaging authorized by the special permit.
Hazardous Materials: Reduce Training Burdens for America's Farmers
This final rule makes an inflationary adjustment to the monetary threshold for farmers to be eligible for an exception from security plan and in-depth security training requirements.
Hazardous Materials: Improving Efficiencies for Special Permits and Approvals Renewals
This final rule amends the Hazardous Materials Program Procedures to allow an application to renew a special permit or approval to be filed any time on or before its expiration date rather than requiring the renewal application to be filed 60 days in advance as under the current regulations.
Hazardous Materials: Reducing Costs to Domestic Shippers and Carriers of Limited Quantities
This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by allowing regulated entities to use a reduced sized marking for limited quantity shipments of hazardous materials by highway, rail, or vessel.
Hazardous Materials: Adoption of Department of Transportation Special Permit 21287
This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by adopting the provisions of U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) special permit (SP) 21287 to streamline the transportation of refrigerating machines-- including common household appliances like refrigerators, window- mounted air-conditioning units, and dehumidifiers--that contain small quantities of certain low flammability refrigerant gases.
Hazardous Materials: Adoption of Department of Transportation Special Permit 21478
This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by adopting the provisions of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) special permit (SP) 21478 to allow empty intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) that only contain the residue of a hazardous material to be transported without shipping papers, placards, and United Nations (UN) identification (ID) numbers.
Hazardous Materials: Reducing Burdens on Domestic Companies Using Battery-Powered Equipment in Trades
This final rule modernizes the Materials of Trade (MOT) exception in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) by increasing the maximum allowable quantities of lithium batteries that can be transported as MOTs. This increase removes an undue regulatory burden which constrains the ability of construction, landscaping, mowing, tree service, food service, and entertainment companies to perform their trade.
Hazardous Materials: Adoption of Department of Transportation Special Permit 14175
This final rule removes undue regulatory burdens by adopting the provisions of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) special permit (SP) 14175 to authorize a 10-year requalification period and the ultrasonic examination (UE) testing method for DOT specification 3A and 3AA cylinders in flammable and non-flammable, nonpoisonous gas service. This adoption reflects advances in testing technology and will relieve stakeholders of the burden of performing more frequent cylinder requalification.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASME B31.4
PHMSA is withdrawing the DFR titled "Pipeline Safety: Standards Update--ASME B31.4," which published on April 24, 2026.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM D2564
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM D2564, Standard Specification for Solvent Cements for Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Piping Systems.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM A333/A333M
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR parts 192 and 195 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM A333/A333M, Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Steel Pipe for Low-Temperature Service and Other Applications with Required Notch Toughness (ASTM A333/A333M).
Pipeline Safety: Clarifying Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Guidance
PHMSA is withdrawing the DFR titled "Pipeline Safety: Clarifying Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Guidance," which published on April 24, 2026.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-NACE SP0502
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for the DFR titled "Pipeline Safety: Standards Update--NACE SP0502," which published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR incorporates by reference into 49 CFR parts 192 and 195 the updated edition of industry standard NACE SP0502, Pipeline External Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM A372/A372M
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM A372/A372M, Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Forgings for Thin-Walled Pressure Vessels (ASTM A372/ A372M).
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-NFPA 59
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard NFPA 59, Utility LP-Gas Plant Code (NFPA 59).
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-NFPA 58
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58).
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM F1973
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM F1973, Standard Specification for Factory Assembled Anodeless Risers and Transition Fittings in Polyethylene (PE) and Polyamide (PA11) and Polyamide 12 (PA12) Fuel Gas Distribution Systems.
Pipeline Safety: Electronic Retention of Part 194 Response Plans
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR titled "Pipeline Safety: Electronic Retention of Part 194 Response Plans," which published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended oil spill response plan requirements to clarify that operators may maintain the plans electronically.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM A53/A53M
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR parts 192 and 195 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM A53/A53M, Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless (ASTM A53/A53M).
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM F1055
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM F1055, Standard Specification for Electrofusion Type Polyethylene Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene and Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe and Tubing.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM F2767
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM F2767, Standard Specification for Electrofusion Type Polyamide-12 Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyamide-12 Pipe and Tubing for Gas Distribution.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM F2620
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM F2620, Standard Practice for Heat Fusion Joining of Polyethylene Pipe and Fittings.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-MSS SP-75
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 195 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard MSS SP-75, High-Strength, Wrought, Butt-Welding Fittings.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-NACE SP0206
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for the DFR titled "Pipeline Safety: Standards Update--NACE SP0206," which published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR incorporates by reference into 49 CFR part 192 the updated edition of industry standard NACE SP0206, Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology for Pipelines Carrying Normally Dry Natural Gas.
Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-ASTM D2513
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for a DFR published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2026. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR part 192 to incorporate by reference the updated industry standard ASTM D2513, Standard Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pressure Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings.
Pipeline Safety: Joint Meeting of the Gas and Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committees
This notice announces a joint public meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC). The meeting will be held virtually to discuss 13 notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) covering topics such as special permit conditions, in-plant piping, incidental gathering lines, coating damage assessments, atmospheric corrosion, class change pressure tests, maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) reconfirmation, operator identification notifications, limitations on welding operators, remote monitoring valves, property damage definition, right-of-way patrols, and reporting deadlines.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for Modification to Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Actions on Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has granted or denied the application described herein.
Pipeline Safety: Crimson Pipeline LP's Petition for Declaratory Order Regarding the Requirements for Baseline Integrity Assessments
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is seeking comment on a Petition for Declaratory Order (Petition) requesting PHMSA issue an order regarding requirements for baseline integrity assessments.
Pipeline Safety: Information Collection Activities
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the information collection request abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this information collection was published on January 14, 2026.
Pipeline Safety: Guidance for Enhancing the Effectiveness of Distribution Integrity Management Programs
PHMSA issues this advisory bulletin to remind owners and operators of gas distribution systems of the distribution integrity management program (DIMP) requirements under 49 CFR part 192, subpart P. The guidance is intended to improve implementation of DIMP risk evaluations by addressing factors such as high-risk infrastructure, interactive threats, and leak management effectiveness. In addition, the guidance urges pipeline operators to adopt the most appropriate risk models for use within their integrity management programs, with full consideration of probabilistic risk models.
Pipeline Safety: Repair Criteria for Hazardous Liquid and Gas Transmission Pipelines
PHMSA proposes to modernize and to clarify the anomaly response criteria in the Federal pipeline safety regulations for gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines. Driven by twenty years of technological development, modern engineering concepts allow operators to identify, schedule, and remediate pipeline anomalies more effectively and in a less costly manner. PHMSA proposes incorporating these improved safety practices into its regulations by finalizing certain safety improvements advanced in recent rulemakings for gas transmission pipelines and extending those changes to hazardous liquid pipelines. In addition, PHMSA proposes certain non-substantive revisions to its gas and hazardous liquid repair regulations to improve compliance.
Hazardous Materials: Information Collection Activities
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) discussed below will be forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal and extension. These ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens. A Federal Register notice and request for comments with a 60-day comment period on these ICRs was published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2026 (91 FR 4172) under Docket No. PHMSA-2026-0199 (Notice No. 2026-04). PHMSA received one comment in response to the 60-day notice from the Railway Safety Institute (RSI) regarding OMB Control Number 2137-0559, "Rail Carrier and Tank Car Tanks Requirements, Rail Tank Car Tanks-- Transportation of Hazardous Materials by Rail" (expiring September 30, 2027). However, PHMSA is not addressing the renewal of this OMB Control Number in today's notice. Instead, RSI's comments will be addressed either through a separate 30-day notice or in conjunction with responding to the proposals in the HM-265 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).\1\ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pipeline Safety: Advisory Bulletin on Preventing Excavation Damage During National Safe Digging Month and Beyond; Correction
PHMSA published a document in the Federal Register on April 21, 2026, issuing an advisory bulletin on preventing excavation damage. This notice corrects references to the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Best Practices.
Pipeline Safety: Declaratory Order Procedures; Response To Petition for Reconsideration
PHMSA alerts the public to a petition for reconsideration and PHMSA's response.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits
The Department of Transportation's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received applications for special permits under the Hazardous Material Regulations. This notice announces the receipt of such applications and indicates the processing procedures that will be followed.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Actions on Special Permits
The Department of Transportation's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety announces decisions on special permit applications for the transport of hazardous materials under DOT regulations. This notice documents grants or denials of permits requested by entities seeking exceptions or modifications to standard hazardous material shipping requirements.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for Modification to Special Permits
The Department of Transportation's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received applications for modification to special permits under hazardous materials regulations. This notice announces the initiation of review procedures for permit modifications.
Pipeline Safety: Breakout Tank Inspection Rule
PHMSA proposes updating regulations for breakout tanks in hazardous liquid pipeline systems by incorporating the 5th edition of API Standard 653 (2014) by reference, replacing the 3rd edition (2001). The rule authorizes risk-based inspection procedures for determining inspection intervals of in-service breakout tanks.
Hazardous Materials: Streamlining Requirements for the Approval of Certain Energetic Materials
PHMSA amends Hazardous Materials Regulations to streamline approval processes for transporting low-hazard fireworks and small arms cartridges (including tracer ammunition) through simplified classification and self-classification options. The rule designates the PHMSA portal as the exclusive submission method for explosives approvals and permits approval holders to voluntarily terminate explosive approvals.
Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements; Correction
PHMSA issues a technical correction to clarify the 24-month deadline for implementing integrity management alternatives when gas transmission pipeline operators restore maximum allowable operating pressure following class location changes. The deadline runs from the later of the final rule's effective date or when the operator decides to initiate restoration, aligning with MAOP confirmation timelines.