This information collection request requires persons who offer hazardous materials in transportation to prepare a shipping paper and provide an emergency response telephone number. Unless excepted, a shipping paper is required to accompany every hazardous materials shipment to communicate with carriers, enforcement officials, and first responders the hazardous materials in transportation. Each shipping paper contains specific information about the hazardous material(s) being transported, including identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group (if applicable), as well as number and type of packages. Additionally, a shipper must provide and clearly communicate a 24-hour emergency response telephone number that is capable of being answered without delay. In the event of an incident involving hazardous materials, emergency responders use the emergency response telephone number listed on the shipping paper to obtain more information about the hazardous properties of each material. Each shipping paper is developed in approximately 1 minute and 34 seconds and must be retained for 2 or 3 years depending on the type of hazardous material present. An official of the United States Department of Transportation, such as an enforcement officer, or another State-related enforcement agency may request copies of a shipping paper to verify compliance.
This information collection is being revised based on PHMSAâs interim final rule (IFR) published on March 6, 2019, titled âHazardous Materials: Enhanced Safety Provisions for Lithium Batteries Transported by Aircraft (FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018).â PHMSA anticipates that the revisions made in this IFR will increase the number of fully regulated lithium battery shipments, which will mean that there will be an increase in the number of shipping papers as the number of notice to the pilot in command. This increase is being reflected in this information collection notice.
The burdens under this OMB control number are being revised due to regulatory changes associated with an interim final rule (IFR) issued by PHMSA on March 6, 2019. The IFR aligns the Hazardous Materials Regulations with current international standards for the transportation of lithium batteries. PHMSA expects that based on the changes made in the IFR, there will be an increase in number of fully regulated shipments. These shipments will require shipping papers and NOPICs, where it was previously not required. Therefore, PHMSA has accounted for this increase in burden in this request.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.