49 C.F.R. Part 173 is a section of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Regulations, issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). It is part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and establishes nationwide rules for preparing, packaging, and shipping hazardous materials – including radioactive waste.
This regulation applies broadly to any person or company offering hazardous materials for transport, including nuclear waste shipments by truck, rail, air, or sea.
Part 173 is a binding federal law. It establishes enforceable requirements that must be followed before hazardous materials can be transported:
- It defines how materials are classified and packaged, including special rules for radioactive materials (Class 7).
- It requires that packaging be designed and tested to prevent leaks, withstand accidents, and protect the public and the environment.
- It establishes detailed standards for inspection, quality control, labeling, and documentation prior to shipment.
- It imposes legal responsibility on shippers and carriers to comply with all safety requirements.
For radioactive materials specifically, Subpart I adds extra requirements for containment, testing, and certification, often coordinated with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) rules.
Violations can result in civil or criminal penalties under federal hazardous materials transportation law.
