IHMM Today February 17, 2026

IHMM Today is an online publication of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management® (IHMM®).

Other than content specifically provided by IHMM, articles contained in IHMM Today are compiled from

independent sources and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IHMM.

IHMM launched its “Open to Work” online COLLABORATION community exclusively for IHMM certificants looking to connect, share resumes, and discover job opportunities together in a supportive environment.

You can find this community after logging into COLLABORATION here: https://community.ihmm.org/home

Sean Grady, CHMM – Environmental Transformation Podcast

Sponsored Content

Trump Admin Eliminates Obama-Era GHG Endangerment Finding

On July 29, 2025, EPA announced a proposal to rescind the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding. The Endangerment Finding is a prerequisite for regulating emissions from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines. Absent this finding, EPA lacks statutory authority under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act to prescribe standards for GHG emissions. Therefore, EPA also proposed to remove GHG regulations for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty on-highway vehicles.

Federal Register

On February 12, 2026, President Trump in the White House’s Roosevelt Room, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history. In this final rule, EPA is eliminating both the Obama-era 2009 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Endangerment Finding and all subsequent federal GHG emission standards for all vehicles and engines of model years 2012 to 2027 and beyond.

Read more here

IHMM Begins Review of PHMSA ANPR on Automated Transport Systems

IHMM Begins Review of EPA NPR on Perchlorate

IHMM Begins Review of PHMSA NPRM HM-215R to amend the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations

Federal Register  Deadline April 13, 2026

According to the Federal Register from February 10, 2026, PHMSA issued NPRM HM-215R to amend the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 C.F.R. Parts 171–180) to maintain statutory alignment with updated international dangerous goods standards, as directed by 49 U.S.C. § 5120.

IHMM requests comments back to IHMM Executive Director Eugene A. Guilford, Jr., CAE, no later than April 1, 2026

Read more here

B&C’s TSCA Tutor^® On-Demand Training Adds New Modules Covering Articles and SNURs

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C^®) is pleased to announce the addition of two new modules, “Articles and the Articles Exemption” and “Understanding TSCA Significant New Use Rules (SNUR),” to the TSCA Tutor^® curriculum.

TSCA Tutor^® provides expert, efficient, and essential Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) training prepared and presented by B&C’s renowned TSCA practice group. Courses can be completed at the learner’s own pace, and enrollment is valid for one full year. Registrants receive detailed handout materials, including copies of all presentations and relevant materials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are theirs to keep.

To enroll, view free previews of courses, and see more details on each course, visit www.TSCAtutor.com

One-Hour Sessions:

• T101: An Overview of TSCA
• T103: Import Requirements, TSCA Section 13
• T104: Export Requirements, TSCA Section 12
• T105: Confidential Business Information (CBI)
• T106: Reporting and Retention of Information, TSCA Section 8
• T107: Articles and the Articles Exemption
• T100-series bundle (six modules)

Two-Hour Sessions:

• T201: Inspections and Audits
• T202: TSCA Section 5 (Part 1) Chemical Inventory, Exemptions
• T203: TSCA Section 5 (Part 2) New Chemicals/New Use
• T204: Chemical Data Reporting
• T205: Chemical Testing (Regulatory)/Animal Welfare
• T206: Prioritization and Risk Evaluation
• T207: Understanding TSCA Significant New Use Rules (SNUR)
• T200-series bundle (seven modules)

Complete TSCA Tutor course bundle (13 modules)

February ICC Compliance Bulletin

• OSHA Pushes HCS Deadlines Back Four Months explains the agency’s extension of key Hazard Communication Standard compliance dates, giving manufacturers and distributors more time to meet revised requirements. The update outlines the new timeline and reinforces the importance of beginning SDS updates now to stay prepared and compliant.
• Stricter SoC Limits for Lithium-Ion Batteries outlines the fully enforced IATA and ICAO requirements as of 1 January 2026, making the 30% state of charge limit mandatory for most lithium-ion battery air shipments. The update explains the safety rationale behind the change and highlights when special approvals are required for higher-charge transport.
• Top PHMSA Resources for 2026 highlights the most valuable PHMSA tools, including interpretations, FAQs, special permits, and rulemaking updates, to help dangerous goods professionals stay informed. It highlights how these resources bridge the gap between regulatory text and real-world application, supporting stronger compliance and risk reduction in the year ahead.
• IMDG Code: What’s Required in 2026 clarifies that Amendment 42-24 is now the mandatory standard for sea transport of dangerous goods as of 1 January 2026. It explains the IMDG Code’s unique amendment cycle and what shippers can expect as future editions are introduced.
• PHMSA Restores a Longstanding Fuel Placarding Exemption explains the 2026 final rule that modernizes cargo tank inspection flexibility and reinstates a historic placarding exemption for certain fuel shipments. The update highlights major cost savings, reduced operational burden, and a return to long-established compliance practices without compromising safety.

Environmental News for This Week

Biennial Hazardous Waste Report – March 1

Federal regulations require large quantity generators to submit a report every two years regarding the nature, quantities and disposition of hazardous waste generated at their facility. EPA refers to this as the National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report or Biennial Report.

The Biennial Report form (EPA form 8700-13A/B) must be submitted to the authorized state agency or EPA regional office by March 1 of every even-numbered year (for example, a report due by March 1, 2026, would report activities from calendar year 2025). The form includes information such as:

• Facility’s EPA ID Number.
• Facility’s name and address.
• Quantity and nature of hazardous waste generated.
• Whether the hazardous waste was sent for recycling, treatment, storage, or disposal.

Read more here

Workplace Safety News This Week

IHMM is a Premier Partner of the Falls 2026 Campaign

May 4-8, 2026

What is a Safety Stand-Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”. Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about falls and other job hazards they see.

• The 2026 hardhat sticker ordering form is open.

In the coming weeks, IHMM will be making materials available for the Falls 2026 Campaign!   In addition, IHMM is looking for 2 volunteers, each from a different construction company, who can tell a great story about how they prevent falls in construction.

Global DG Transport Regulatory Update This Week

IHMM Global DG Transport Compliance Matrix (2025–2026)

IHMM Certificant Compliance Checklist

Week of February 11-February 16, 2026

I. Executive Overview

The week of February 11–16, 2026 reflects a continuation of the global implementation and enforcement phase of the current dangerous goods (DG) regulatory cycle. With ADR 2025 fully operative, IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 mandatory worldwide, and ICAO Technical Instructions / IATA DGR 2026 in force, regulators are concentrating on inspection rigor, harmonization, and documentation integrity, rather than issuing major new legislative instruments.

Across all regions, the principal regulatory pressure points remain:

• Lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries (including battery-powered vehicles and equipment),

• Hazardous waste and asbestos carriage,

• Pressure receptacles and cylinders, and

• Undeclared or misdeclared DG in parcel and e-commerce supply chains.

II. United States — PHMSA Enforcement and Interpretive Oversight

A. No Major Amendments to the HMR

During this period, no significant amendments were issued to 49 C.F.R. Parts 171–180. However, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) continued to apply its risk-based enforcement model, which has become the dominant regulatory force in practice.

Field activities during this week reflect continued focus on:

• Battery shippers and packers (particularly lithium-ion and sodium-ion),

• Cylinder requalification and testing facilities,

• E-commerce and small-parcel hazmat flows,

• Hazard communication and shipping paper accuracy.

PHMSA Regulatory Reviews Undertaken by IHMM

• PHMSA – ANPRM HM-266 – Highly Automated Transport Systems – CHMMs and CDGPs Synopsis of ANPRM — PHMSA: Modernizing Hazardous Materials Regulations for Highly Automated Transportation Systems Federal Register  Deadline: March 4, 2025
• PHMSA issued NPRM HM-215R to amend the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations Federal Register Deadline: April 13, 2026

Legal Significance

From a legal standpoint, PHMSA’s enforcement posture continues to elevate the effective standard of care beyond minimum textual compliance. U.S. shippers—especially exporters—are expected to maintain UN Model Regulations-aligned classification, packaging, marking, labeling, and training systems, even where domestic regulatory text has not changed.

Increased scrutiny of undeclared hazardous materials also heightens exposure to civil penalties and potential criminal liability where intent or gross negligence is implicated.

Read more here

New CDC Healthy Relationships Resource

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched the Healthy Relationships Toolkit (HeaRT), a refreshed version of Dating Matters that supports communities in helping young adolescents build healthy, respectful relationships and prevent youth violence.

Highlights include:

• Evidence-based strategies linked to reductions in bullying, sexual harassment, and weapon carrying
• Updated materials that include online safety and recent data
• A new free, self-paced parent and caregiver training for youth ages 11 to 14
• Guidance to support conversations about teen dating, relationships, and risk behaviors

Learn more here

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External Opportunities

2/18/26 – Preventing Mass Attacks in Our Communities
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

2/18 – Data Security Best Practices and Incident Response
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education

2/25 – Transparency and Vetting Educational Technology
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education

3/18/26 – Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

4/15/26 – Preventing Mass Attacks in Our Communities
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

5/20/26 – Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

Recent News from the European Chemicals Agency

• One in five hazardous mixtures not reported to poison centres
• We renew our organisational structure to support expanding mandate
• Validity of 88 existing REACH authorisations to use chromium (VI) substances extended
• Consultations on applications for authorisation
• Deadline extended: call for evidence on restriction of PPDs and PDs in rubber tyres
• Consultation on harmonised classification and labelling
• New intentions to harmonise classification and labelling
• ECHA CHEM updated with ED and PBT assessment lists
• Nanopinion: Nanocellulose aerogels: promising platform in sustainable materials design
• REACH Committee meeting – draft agenda available
• Biocides decisions