The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a series of final rules implementing reforms to the agency’s Hazardous Materials Regulations. The revisions become effective September 3, 2026.

• HM-268A: Reducing Burdens on Domestic Aerosol Shippers. Revises the aerosol definition in §171.8 to remove the requirement that it contain a liquid, powder, or paste. This would let small quantities of gas be shipped in aerosol containers instead of more costly cylinders or needing a special permit, aligning with international standards—helping U.S. companies compete globally.

• HM-268B: Reducing Costs to Domestic Shippers and Carriers of Limited Quantities. Allows a smaller limited quantity marking in §172.315(a)(2), reducing packaging and labeling costs and helping carriers move more packages per trip.

• HM-268C: Reducing Burdens on Domestic Companies Using Battery-Powered Equipment in Trades. Updates §173.6 to increase the amount of lithium batteries allowed under the Materials of Trade (MOTs) exception. This would help companies using battery-powered equipment, like landscapers, to transport needed tools.

• HM-268D: Hazardous Materials: Reducing Burdens to Domestic Carriers.Allows emergency response information (ERI) to be displayed electronically, removing the current requirement for printed copies and easing compliance for shippers.

• HM-268E: Remove Redundant List of U.S. EPA CERCLA Hazardous Substances.References the 40 CFR §302.4 hazardous substance list instead of duplicating it in the HMR, eliminating 27 pages of duplicative regulatory text in the 49 CFR.

• HM-268F: Reducing Burdens by Allowing Continued Use of DOT Special Permit Packaging. Allows continued use of DOT special permit (SP) packaging for its full lifespan, even if the permit isn’t renewed or the original holder no longer exists.

• HM-268G: Improving Efficiencies for Special Permits and Approvals Renewals. Removes the rule requiring special permit renewal applications sixty days before expiration. This would reduce paperwork and allow permit use provided the renewal is filed before expiration.

• HM-268H: Modernizing Payments to and From America’s Bank Account.Requires electronic payment for registration fees, eliminating outdated provisions allowing certified checks to improve payment efficiency.

• HM-268I: Removing Paperwork Burdens on Domestic Motor Carriers.Removes the requirement in §107.620 for motor and vessel carriers to carry paper copies of their hazmat registration. Digital verification would be allowed instead, reducing unnecessary paperwork.

• HM-268J: Reduce Training Burdens for American Farmers. Raises the income threshold for farmers exempt from security training from $500,000 to $825,000 to reflect inflation and ease burdens on small and mid-size farms.

• HM-268K: Removing Burdensome Rail Reporting Requirements. Removes outdated rail regulations and reporting requirements, such as references to steam-era materials and unnecessary reporting to non-federal groups like the Bureau of Explosives.

• HM-268L: Adopt DOT Special Permits 12412 and 11646 into the HMR. Adopts special permits allowing IBCs and drums to be unloaded while still on transport vehicles when specific safety control measures are followed, easing burdens for various small businesses.

• HM-268M: Adopt DOT-SP 21287 into the HMR. Adopts a special permit allowing small refrigerating machines with low-risk flammable gases (A2L) to be transported like non-flammable refrigerant gases, easing compliance burdens.

• HM-268N: Adopt DOT-SP 21379 into the HMR. Adopts a special permit allowing large refrigerating systems with A2L gases to be transported under the same rules as systems using non-flammable refrigerant gases, reducing compliance burdens.

• HM-268O: Adopt DOT-SP 14175 into the HMR. Extends the requalification interval for 3A and 3AA cylinders in flammable and non- flammable, nonpoisonous gas service.

• HM-268P: Adopt DOT-SP 21478 into the HMR. Allows empty IBCs with only residue to be transported like non-bulk packages, without shipping papers, hazmat placards, or UN ID numbers, reducing costs for the IBC reconditioning industry.