PHMSA lays out new rules for hazardous return shipments

   The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has published a proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register that provides an exemption to hazardous material regulations for reverse-logistics shipments by road.
   According to the notice, the new rule would give reverse-logistics shipments “opportunities for reduced compliance costs among hazmat shippers and carriers, without any decrease in safety.”
   In addition to defining “reverse logistics,” the propose rule would establish hazardous-shipment regulations and training requirements; provide new packaging; establish clear segregation between normal hazardous shipments and returns; and “allow more flexibility for the transportation of lead acid batteries,” according to the proposed rule.
   Comments on the proposed rule are due Oct. 10.