Effective January 1, 2013, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 601.10 to adopt new marking standards for parcels containing mailable hazardous materials. The Postal Service will also make corresponding revisions to Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, as soon as possible thereafter. The Publication 52 revisions will be provided in a later edition of the Postal Bulletin.
With this revision, the Postal Service will require the use of these new markings on parcels intended for air transportation. However, the new marking standards will be deferred (or optional) for parcels intended for surface transportation to coincide with the delayed implementation date for ground transportation provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Mailers should note that any other marking or documentation requirements not specifically referenced in this revision, including the preparation of a properly completed shipper’s declaration, will not be modified or eliminated by any of the revisions described herein. It should also be noted that the adoption of these new standards is not intended to expand or limit the mailable materials or quantities previously permitted under the ORM-D category.
On January 19, 2011, the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published Federal Register final rule HM-215K (76 FR 3308-3389), which harmonized the requirements of the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) with international transport requirements. In its final rule, PHMSA signaled its intent to, among other things, eliminate the “Other Regulated Material” (ORM-D) classification for all forms of transportation. This change will become effective on January 1, 2013, for shipments intended for air transportation and on January 1, 2015, for shipments intended for surface transportation.
In addition to the elimination of the ORM-D category, PHMSA also eliminates the “consumer commodity” category for products in hazard Classes 4, 5, and 8, as well as a portion of hazard Class 9, for all shipments intended for air transportation. This change will become effective on January 1, 2013. After this date, the mailability of materials previously falling within the “consumer commodity” category must be evaluated based on its eligibility under the limited quantity category in the HMR.
PHMSA expects that the alignment of the existing limited quantity provisions in the HMR with international standards and regulations will enhance safety by facilitating a single uniform system of transporting limited quantity materials. Because of the inherent risk unique to air transportation, PHMSA believes that full harmonization with the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions (ICAO TI) is necessary with regard to the materials authorized and the guidelines for limited quantities (including consumer commodities) intended for transport by air. The ICAO TI also include specific provisions for air transport of dangerous goods in the mail, which are much more restrictive than the general standards. No dangerous goods are allowed in international mail, with the exception of certain infectious substances, certain patient specimens, and certain radioactive materials as noted in section 135 of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®); these materials may be sent only by authorized mailers for authorized purposes.
On August 6, 2012, based on the regulations provided by PHMSA in its January 19, 2011, Federal Register final rule, the Postal Service revised the DMM to incorporate optional marking standards for parcels containing mailable hazardous materials. These standards provided that mailers could optionally use new marking standards consistent with the new DOT marking requirements, or continue to use the previous USPS® marking standards.
On October 3, 2012, the Postal Service published a final rule in the Federal Register (77 FR 60334-60339) to announce the new mailing standards which are described in this Postal Bulletin article and which are intended to align with PHMSA regulations provided in the January 19, 2011, notice.
The Postal Service will align its hazardous materials mailing requirements with those of PHMSA by requiring the marking standards described in this revision on all parcels intended for air transportation. Effective January 1, 2013, the optional marking standards for parcels containing mailable hazardous materials described in the August 6, 2012, DMM revision will become mandatory for materials intended for air transportation.
Effective January 1, 2013, the Postal Service will begin to categorize hazardous materials meeting the current definition of a mailable ORM-D material within hazard Classes 4, 5, or 8, and portions of 9, using the description “mailable limited quantity;” and will retain the description “consumer commodity” for all other mailable hazard classes. The Postal Service will also revise the DMM to replace the current ORM-D category for parcels containing materials intended for air transportation with the applicable “consumer commodity” or the new “mailable limited quantity” categories.
Mailpieces containing currently authorized air-eligible consumer commodities (ORM-D-AIR) within DOT Class 2.2 (nonflammable, nontoxic gasses), Class 3 (flammable and combustible liquids), Class 6.1 (toxic substances), and Class 9 (miscellaneous) will be reclassified under hazard Class 9 (miscellaneous) instead of their previous “ORM-D-AIR” classification. Mailpieces containing this material will also be required to bear the proper shipping name “Consumer Commodity,” the Identification Number “ID8000,” and both the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y” and an approved DOT Class 9 hazardous material warning label. Mailpieces must also bear a shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods.
Mailpieces containing mailable air-authorized limited quantity Class 9 materials within UN3077, UN3082, UN3334, and UN3335, will be required to bear the proper shipping name “Consumer Commodity,” Identification Number “ID8000,” and both the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y” and an approved DOT Class 9 hazardous material warning label. These are the only Class 9 materials authorized by the DOT to be shipped under the limited quantity classification by domestic air transportation.
Effective January 1, 2013, the Postal Service will also require the use of other DOT hazardous warning labels on packages intended for air transportation, which contain materials that meet the current definition of a mailable ORM-D material in hazard Class 5.1 (oxidizing substances), hazard Class 5.2 (organic peroxides), and hazard Class 8 (corrosives). The DOT will no longer define a consumer commodity category for these particular hazard classes. Similarly, the DOT will not define a consumer commodity in hazard Class 4 (flammable solids); however, this will not have an impact for USPS mailers because the Postal Service does not currently permit hazard Class 4 materials in its air transportation networks. These mailpieces will also be required to bear the proper shipping name and Identification Number, as identified in Publication 52 Appendix A, both DOT square-on-point marking (including the symbol “Y”), and the appropriate approved DOT hazardous material warning label. Mailpieces must also bear a shipper's declaration for dangerous goods.
Before January 1, 2015, mailable hazardous materials intended for surface transportation will continue to be classified using the ORM-D categorization. Until that time, mailers will have the option of continuing to use the current “ORM-D” marking for materials intended for ground transportation, or using the new DOT-authorized “square-on-point” limited quantity marking on parcels containing mailable hazardous materials.
The Postal Service plans to implement the final segment of its alignment with PHMSA by eliminating the optional ORM-D markings and categorization for hazardous materials intended for surface transportation on January 1, 2015. The use of ORM-D markings will no longer be permitted for use with any materials being tendered for transport within USPS networks, either by surface or air. After this date, all mailpieces containing hazardous materials will be required to be marked using the appropriate DOT square-on-point marking.
With this revision, mailable limited quantity and mailable consumer commodity materials, when tendered to the Postal Service, must bear an approved DOT square-on-point marking. The use of additional DOT hazardous material warning labels will not be required or permitted on parcels intended for transportation in USPS ground networks.
The applicable standards contained in this final rule are effective on January 1, 2013, and will be incorporated into the DMM on January 27, 2013, corresponding with the previously scheduled price change update.
This revision is based on our final rule Federal Register (77 FR 70895-70902) published November 28, 2012. You can view the notice on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
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601 Mailability
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10.0 Hazardous Materials
10.1 Definitions
The following definitions apply:
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[Revise 10.1c as follows:]
c. ORM-D (Other Regulated Material) material is a limited quantity of a hazardous material that presents a limited hazard during transportation due to its form, quantity, and packaging. Not all hazardous materials permitted to be shipped as a limited quantity can qualify as an ORM-D material. The ORM-D category is only applicable for materials intended for ground transportation. Effective January 1, 2015, the ORM-D category will be eliminated for materials intended for surface transportation. After this date, the mailability of materials previously fitting the description of ORM-D must be evaluated based on its eligibility under the applicable consumer commodity or mailable limited quantity categories.
[Revise 10.1d, Consumer Commodity, by adding a new last sentence as follows:]
d. ***The consumer commodity category will not apply to materials intended for air transportation in hazard Classes 4, 5, and 8, and portions of hazard Class 9.
[Re-sequence the current 10.1e through 10.1i as the new 10.1f through 10.1j, and add a new item 10.1e as follows:]
e. Mailable Limited Quantity is a hazardous material in hazard Classes 4, 5, 8 or portions of 9 that presents a limited hazard during transportation (specifically air transport), and is mailable in USPS air networks under certain conditions and in limited quantities.
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10.3 USPS Standards for Hazardous Material
[Revise 10.3 as follows:]
The USPS standards generally restrict the mailing of hazardous materials to ORM-D (permitted for surface transportation only until January 1, 2015), and consumer commodity or mailable limited quantity materials that meet USPS quantity limitations and packaging requirements. All exceptions are subject to the standards in 10.0. Detailed information on the mailability of specific hazardous materials is contained in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.
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10.4 Hazard Class
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Exhibit 10.4 DOT Hazard Classes and Mailability Summary
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10.7 Warning Labels for Hazardous Materials
[Revise 10.7 as follows:]
With few exceptions as noted in these standards, most hazardous materials acceptable for mailing fall within the current Other Regulated Materials (ORM-D) regulations of 49 CFR 173.144 for materials intended for surface transportation, and the consumer commodity or mailable limited quantity categories for materials intended for air transportation. Mailpieces containing mailable hazardous materials intended for transportation by air are required to bear an approved DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b and may also be required to bear a specific DOT hazardous material warning label (if required for the hazard class shipped). Mailpieces containing mailable hazardous materials must be marked as required in 10.8 and must bear DOT handling labels (e.g., orientation arrows, magnetized materials) when applicable. Effective January 1, 2015, the ORM-D category will be eliminated for materials intended for surface transportation, and mailpieces containing hazardous materials intended for surface transportation will be required to be marked using the appropriate DOT square-on-point marking. Also after this date, the mailability of materials previously fitting the description of ORM-D must be evaluated based on its eligibility under the applicable consumer commodity or mailable limited quantity categories.
10.8 Package Markings for Hazardous Materials
[Revise 10.8 as follows:]
Unless otherwise noted, each mailpiece containing a mailable hazardous material must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with the required shipping name and UN identification number. Mailpieces containing mailable air-eligible hazardous materials intended for air transportation must bear a DOT limited quantity square-on-point marking under 8b. Mailpieces containing mailable hazardous materials intended for surface transportation may be entered and marked under the ORM-D category before January 1, 2015. After this date, all parcels containing mailable hazardous materials must bear the appropriate DOT square-on-point marking and other associated markings when required. The following also applies:
a. The use of DOT limited quantity square-on-point markings are required for mailpieces intended for air transportation and optional (until January 1, 2015) for mailpieces intended for surface transportation (see Exhibit 10.8b). The plain square-on-point marking is used for shipments sent by surface transportation, and the square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y” superimposed in the center is used for shipments sent by air transportation. The following also applies:
1. Markings must be durable, legible, and readily visible.
2. The marking must be applied on at least one side or one end of the outer packaging. The border forming the square-on-point must be at least 2 mm (0.08 inch) in width, and the minimum dimension of each side must be 100 mm (3.94 inches), unless the package size requires a reduced size marking of no less than 50 mm (1.97 inches) on each side.
3. For surface transportation, the top and bottom portions of the square-on-point and the border forming the square-on-point must be black, and the center must be white or of a suitable contrasting background. Surface shipments containing qualifying ORM-D materials and bearing the square-on-point limited quantity marking are not required to be marked with the shipping name and identification number.
4. For transportation by aircraft, the top and bottom portions of the square-on-point and the border forming the square-on-point must be black, and the center must be white or of a suitable contrasting background. The symbol ‘‘Y’’ must be black and located in the center of the square-on-point and be clearly visible. Mailpieces intended for transport by air must also be marked with the proper shipping name, identification number, and must also display the appropriate DOT hazardous material warning label (only when required for the hazard class shipped) in accordance with Publication 52.
b. The UN identification number is not required on mailpieces containing ORM-D materials and intended for surface transportation. A mailable ORM-D material must be marked on the address side with “ORM-D” (or marked under 10.8a) immediately following, or below the proper shipping name. The proper shipping name for a mailable ORM-D material is “consumer commodity.” The designation “ORM-D” must be placed within a rectangle that is approximately 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) larger on each side than the applicable designation. Mailpieces containing ORM-D materials sent as Standard Mail, Parcel Post, Parcel Select, or Package Services must also be marked on the address side as “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only.”
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10.9 Shipping Papers for Hazardous Materials
***Shipping papers are required as follows:
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[Revise 10.9a and 10.9b to update product references as follows:]
a. Air transportation requirements. Except for nonregulated materials sent under 10.17.3 or 10.17.8 and diagnostic specimens sent under 10.17.5, mailpieces containing mailable hazardous materials sent as Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, or First-Class Package Service, must include a shipping paper.
b. Surface transportation requirements. Except for nonregulated materials sent under 10.17.3 or 10.17.8 and mailable ORM-D materials, mailpieces containing mailable hazardous materials sent as Standard Mail, Parcel Post, Parcel Select, or Package Services, must include a shipping paper.
10.10 Air Transportation Prohibitions for Hazardous Materials
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 10.10 to update product references as follows:]
All mailable hazardous materials sent as Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, or First-Class Package Service, must meet the requirements for air transportation. The following types of hazardous materials are always prohibited on air transportation regardless of class of mail:
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10.12 Gases (Hazard Class 2)
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10.12.2 Mailability
[Revise the third and fourth sentences of 10.12.2 as follows:]
***Flammable gases in Division 2.1 are prohibited in domestic mail via air transportation but are permitted via surface transportation if the material can qualify as an ORM-D material (or after January 1, 2015, a consumer commodity material) and meet the standards in 10.12.3 and 10.12.4. Mailable nonflammable gases in Division 2.2 are generally permitted in the domestic mail via air or surface transportation if the material can qualify as an ORM-D material when intended for surface transportation, or as a consumer commodity material when intended for air transportation, and also meet the standards in 10.12.3 and 10.12.4.
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10.12.4 Marking
[Revise the second sentence and add a new third sentence for 10.12.4 as follows:]
***For air transportation, packages must bear the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y,” an approved DOT Class 9 hazardous material warning label, Identification Number “ID8000,” and the proper shipping name “Consumer Commodity.” Mailpieces must also bear a shipper's declaration for dangerous goods.
10.13 Flammable and Combustible Liquids (Hazard Class 3)
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10.13.2 Flammable Liquid Mailability
[Revise the third sentence of the introductory paragraph of 10.13.2 as follows:]
***Other flammable liquid is prohibited in domestic mail via air transportation but is permitted via surface transportation if the material can qualify as an ORM-D material (or after January 1, 2015, a consumer commodity material) and meet the following conditions as applicable:
[Revise 10.13.2a and 2b as follows:]
a. The flashpoint is above 20°F (-7°C) but no more than 73°F (23°C); the liquid is in a metal primary receptacle not exceeding 1 quart, or in another type of primary receptacle not exceeding 1 pint, per mailpiece; enough cushioning surrounds the primary receptacle to absorb all potential leakage; the cushioning and primary receptacle are packed within a securely sealed secondary container that is placed within a strong outer shipping container; and each mailpiece is plainly and durably marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b).
b. The flashpoint is above 73°F (23°C) but less than 100°F (38°C); the liquid is in a metal primary receptacle not exceeding 1 gallon, or in another type of primary receptacle not exceeding 1 quart, per mailpiece; enough cushioning surrounds the primary receptacle to absorb all potential leakage; the cushioning and primary receptacle are placed within a securely sealed secondary container that is placed within a strong outer shipping container; and each mailpiece is plainly and durably marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b).
10.13.3 Combustible Liquid Mailability
[Revise the second sentence of the introductory paragraph of 10.13.3 as follows:]
***Combustible liquid is permitted in domestic mail if the material can qualify as an ORM-D material, when intended for ground transportation or a consumer commodity material, when intended for air transportation, and when the following conditions are met as applicable:
[Revise 10.13.3a as follows:]
a. For surface transportation, if the flashpoint is 100°F (38°C) but no more than 141°F (60.5°C); the liquid is in a metal primary receptacle not exceeding 1 gallon, or in another type of primary receptacle not exceeding 1 quart, per mailpiece; enough cushioning surrounds the primary receptacle to absorb all potential leakage; the cushioning and primary receptacle are packed in a securely sealed secondary container that is placed within a strong outer shipping container; and each mailpiece is plainly and durably marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b).
[Revise 10.13.3b as follows:]
b. For surface or air transportation, if the flashpoint is above 141°F (60.5°C) but no more than 200°F (93°C); the liquid is in a primary receptacle not exceeding 1 gallon per mailpiece; enough cushioning surrounds the primary receptacle to absorb all potential leakage; the cushioning and primary receptacle are packed in a securely sealed secondary container that is placed within a strong outer shipping container. For surface transportation, each mailpiece must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name; and each piece must be marked on the address side as “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b). For air transportation, packages must bear the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y,” an approved DOT Class 9 hazardous material warning label, Identification Number “ID8000,” the proper shipping name “Consumer Commodity,” and a shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods.
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10.14 Flammable Solids (Hazard Class 4)
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10.14.2 Mailability
[Revise the last sentence of 10.14.2 as follows:]
***A flammable solid that can qualify as an ORM-D material (or after January 1, 2015, a mailable limited quantity material) is permitted in domestic mail via surface transportation if the material is contained in a secure primary receptacle having a weight of 1 pound or less; the primary receptacle(s) is packed in a strong outer shipping container with a total weight of 25 pounds or less per mailpiece; and each mailpiece is plainly and durably marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b).
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10.15 Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides (Hazard Class 5)
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10.15.2 Mailability
[Revise 10.15.2 as follows:]
Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides are prohibited in international mail. Class 5 materials are permitted in domestic mail if the material can qualify as an ORM-D material (until January 1, 2015), when intended for ground transportation; or an air-eligible mailable limited quantity material, when intended for air transportation. Liquid materials must be enclosed within a primary receptacle having a capacity of 1 pint or less; the primary receptacle(s) must be surrounded by absorbent cushioning material and held within a leak-resistant secondary container that is packed within a strong outer shipping container. Solid materials must be contained within a primary receptacle having a weight capacity of 1 pound or less; the primary receptacle(s) must be surrounded with cushioning material and packed within a strong outer shipping container. Each mailpiece may not exceed a total weight of 25 pounds. For surface transportation, each mailpiece must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name; and each piece must be marked on the address side as “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b). For air transportation, packages must bear the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y,” the appropriate approved DOT Class 5.1 or 5.2 hazardous material warning label, the identification number, the proper shipping name, and a shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods.
10.16 Toxic Substances (Hazard Class 6, Division 6.1)
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10.16.2 Mailability
[Revise the second sentence of 10.16.2 as follows:]
***For domestic mail, a Division 6.1 toxic substance or poison that can qualify as an ORM-D material (until January 1, 2015) when intended for ground transportation, or a mailable air-eligible consumer commodity material when intended for air transportation, is permitted when packaged under the applicable requirements in 10.16.4.***
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10.16.4 Packaging and Marking
The following requirements must be met, as applicable:
[Revise 16.4a as follows:]
a. A toxic substance that can qualify as an ORM-D material (until January 1, 2015) when intended for ground transportation, or a mailable air-eligible consumer commodity material when intended for air transportation, and does not exceed a total capacity of 8 ounces per mailpiece is permitted if: the material is held in a primary receptacle(s); enough cushioning material surrounds the primary receptacle to absorb all potential leakage; and the cushioning and primary receptacle(s) are packed in another securely sealed secondary container that is placed within a strong outer shipping container. For surface transportation, each mailpiece must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name; and each piece must be marked on the address side as “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b). For air transportation, packages must bear the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y,” an approved DOT Class 9 hazardous material warning label, Identification Number “ID8000,” the proper shipping name “Consumer Commodity,” and a shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods.
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10.19 Corrosives (Hazard Class 8)
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10.19.2 Mailability
[Revise the second sentence of the introductory paragraph of 10.19.2 as follows:]
***A corrosive that can qualify as an ORM-D material (until January 1, 2015), when intended for ground transportation; or an air-eligible mailable limited quantity material, when intended for air transportation, is permitted in domestic mail via air or surface transportation subject to these limitations:
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10.19.3 Marking
[Revise 10.19.3 as follows:]
For surface transportation, each mailpiece must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name; and each piece must be marked on the address side as “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b). For air transportation, packages must bear the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y,” the appropriate approved DOT Class 8 hazardous material warning label, the identification number, the proper shipping name, and a shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods.
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10.20 Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials (Hazard Class 9)
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10.20.2 Mailability
[Revise the second sentence of 10.20.2 as follows:]
***A miscellaneous hazardous material that can qualify as an ORM-D material (until January 1, 2015) when intended for ground transportation, or a mailable air-eligible consumer commodity material when intended for air transportation, is permitted for domestic mail via air or surface transportation, subject to the applicable 49 CFR requirements.
10.20.3 Marking
[Revise 10.20.3 as follows:]
For surface transportation, the mailpiece must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “ORM-D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name (or with a DOT square-on-point marking under 10.8b). For air transportation, packages must bear the DOT square-on-point marking including the symbol “Y,” an approved DOT Class 9 hazardous material warning label, Identification Number “ID8000,” the proper shipping name “Consumer Commodity,” and a shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Pricing, 12-13-12
