PHMSA Part 173 – Hazardous Materials Regulations (Regulatory Portal)

YEAR

2026

SOURCE ORGANIZATION

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

DOCUMENT TYPE

GEOGRAPHY

This webpage provides access to 49 C.F.R. Part 173, a set of binding federal regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Part 173 is part of the broader Hazardous Materials Regulations, which govern how radioactive waste is prepared, packaged, and shipped in the United States.

Within Part 173, specific sections (especially Subpart I) address Class 7 radioactive materials, including spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive substances.

Part 173 has the force of federal law and sets enforceable requirements for anyone who ships hazardous materials:

It establishes classification rules that determine when a material is legally considered radioactive and subject to regulation.
It requires approved packaging and container designs, including rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand accidents, impacts, fire, and other transport hazards.
It mandates pre-shipment inspections, documentation, labeling, and handling procedures for all regulated materials.
It applies to shippers, carriers, and transport operators, making them legally responsible for compliance during transportation.

Violations can result in civil or criminal penalties under federal hazardous materials law.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The PHMSA Part 173 portal shows how federal rules and their interpretations govern the movement of nuclear waste across the country. For Protect the Basin, the concern is that these decisions are made at the federal level, with limited input from the communities most affected. West Texas and southeastern New Mexico could become key transportation corridors under these rules. Understanding this system is essential to understanding who controls the risks-and who lives with them.

Key Excerpts

“Part 173 contains requirements for the preparation of hazardous materials for transportation.” – Page 1

“PHMSA provides interpretations to clarify how regulatory requirements apply in specific situations.” – Page 2

“Hazardous materials must be packaged, marked, and labeled in accordance with applicable regulations.” – Page 3

CITATION

U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (n.d.). Hazardous Materials Regulations: 49 CFR Part 173.