[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 39798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16363]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0059; Notice No. 12-5]


Clarification Policy on Initial Fitness Review for Classification 
Approvals

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Clarification.

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SUMMARY: This notice clarifies and provides further guidance on PHMSA's 
policy of conducting fitness reviews of applicants for classification 
approvals, including Fireworks, Explosives, Organic Peroxides and Self-
reactive materials.

DATES: The policy clarification discussed in this document is effective 
July 5, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ryan Paquet, Director, Approvals 
and Permits Division, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, (202) 366-
4512, PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective immediately, Initial Fitness 
Reviews (IFR) will no longer be performed by PHMSA as part of the 
processing for classification approvals, including: Fireworks, 
Explosives, Organic Peroxides and Self Reactive Materials.
    The use of the available agency information in the Hazmat 
Intelligence Portal (HIP) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration's (FMCSA) Safety Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) 
databases do not directly and adequately indicate a company's 
capability to manufacture the approved product in accordance with the 
application submitted to PHMSA. This change in policy and practice will 
be reflected in the next update to the Approvals Standard Operating 
Procedures and in the evaluation forms completed as part of the review 
process.
    Fitness of applicants for classification approvals will continue to 
be reviewed through application evaluation, inspection, oversight and 
intelligence received from PHMSA or another Operating Administration 
(FAA, FMCSA, FRA, or USCG).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 28, 2012.
William Schoonover,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-16363 Filed 7-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P