IHMM Today February 24, 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

IHMM Files Comments on the 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

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.

SCOTUS Strikes Down Some Trump Administration Tariffs – Impacts on IHMM Certificants

What’s New About Sewage in Washington?

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 17-February 23, 2026

I. United States — PHMSA and Federal Regulatory Initiatives

A. Harmonization NPRM Advances

During this period, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) advanced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to align more closely with international standards. The proposal would:

• Revise proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, and special provisions in the Hazardous Materials Table (§ 172.101) to reflect changes in the 2025–2026 ICAO Technical Instructions and Amendment 42-24 of the IMDG Code;

• Amend packaging authorizations, vessel stowage requirements, and air transport quantity limits consistent with international norms;

• Introduce new entries for sodium-ion batteries (UN 3551, 3552) and improved emergency-response information for UN 3536 (battery energy storage systems); and

• Align stowage and construction provisions for certain compressed gases and novel substances.

• IHMM is drafting comments on this proposed regulation at this writing.

This NPRM, if finalized, would (i) modernize U.S. DG transport law under 49 C.F.R. Parts 171–180, (ii) reduce friction for international multimodal shipping, and (iii) better integrate U.S. requirements with UN Model Regulations, ICAO TI, IMDG, and other principal DG instruments.

Legal import: Although not yet final, parties handling cross-border DG consignments should begin evaluating these proposed harmonization changes for impacts on classification tables, lithium/sodium-ion battery entries, packaging, emergency response information, and stowage criteria.

B. ANPRM on Spacecraft HAZMAT

PHMSA also published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking feedback on updating the HMR to address the transportation of hazardous materials associated with spaceflight operations. This initiative acknowledges the increasing movement of spacecraft components and volatile propellants by road, rail, and vessel to spaceports and recovery sites.

Legal import: Although preliminary, this reflects PHMSA’s recognition that traditional DG frameworks must evolve to address emerging transport modalities such as space launch support logistics.

C. Important News — Aircraft DG Rules 2026

In related aviation news, new Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules 2026 are being widely circulated and interpreted by carriers and shippers. These emphasize safe stowage, contamination control (including radioactive materials), and emergency segregation of incompatible DG aboard aircraft — all consistent with ICAO and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Read more here

Using Surveys and Mapping in Community Conversations

This new on-demand webinar, featuring Dr. Ron Avi Astor and Dr. Rami Benbenishty, offers a practical approach to strengthening school safety through surveys, mapping, and community conversations. The recording explains how to gather meaningful input from students, staff, and community partners and translate that feedback into local action. Viewers will learn how to design survey and mapping tools, identify local needs, and use collective insight to refine safety initiatives. Learn more here

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External Opportunities

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

• Consultations on harmonised classification and labelling
• New proposals to harmonise classification and labelling
• Czech Republic to end use of creosote-treated utility poles
• Watch the recording: scientific workshop on new CLP hazard classes
• Highlights from Member State Committee meeting
• Assessment of regulatory needs reports published