The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a NOTICE OF ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION REGARDING PACKAGING TAPE. Supply chain challenges have made it very difficult for many companies and industries to obtain standard/required materials to perform daily functions. Tape that was used in the testing and certification of UN specification packaging may be difficult to obtain during the next several months. For this reason, PHMSA is authorizing the closure of UN specification packaging with tape that was not specifically used in the testing and certification process as long as the adhesive tape is:

  1. The same material as the tape in the original packaging test report;
  2. Capable of demonstrating no diminished capabilities in yield strength, thickness, ductility, width, length, or adhesive properties; and
  3. Is compatible with the packaging.

The enforcement discretion is effective through August 31, 2022. The full notice can be reviewed here.