Relationship to Federal Regulations - Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT) adopted by reference the federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 171 – 173, 177, 178, 180, as well as Parts 388 and 397 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The adoption has been in effect since March 19, 1994. These regulations apply to every shipper and motor carrier, as well as its officers, drivers, agents, employees, and representatives involved or related to the transportation of interstate and/or intrastate commerce.

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Commercial Vehicle Safety Division (CVSD), is the lead agency of enforcement of the regulations concerning the transportation of hazardous materials within the state.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission requires that hazardous materials transported on the turnpike system must be in full compliance with the federal HMR, Title 49, CFR, Parts 170 – 179, as well as Part 397 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and any other federal law or regulation relating to the transportation of hazardous materials. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission exercises regulatory control over the transportation of hazardous materials on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the lead agency in developing and administering the hazardous waste management program within Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is the lead agency in the hazardous materials emergency preparedness and response programs, and additionally coordinates state-wide hazardous materials incident response.