The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) — the DOT agency that oversees safe transport of hazardous materials — has received nine applications from companies and organizations seeking to modify their existing special permits under federal hazardous materials regulations. The public comment window closes April 2, 2026.

Key Points

  • What: PHMSA is accepting public comments on nine applications to modify existing hazardous materials transport special permits.
  • Who: Companies and organizations in hazmat logistics, aerospace, and transportation — plus anyone who wants to comment on public safety.
  • When: Comments must be received on or before April 2, 2026.
  • Impact: These modifications could change how specific hazardous materials are packaged, transported, or classified across multiple transport modes.

Who Is Applying and What Do They Want?

Here's a breakdown of the nine applications:

  • NASA (App. 10631-M): Wants to update engineering documents referenced in an existing permit. Covers motor vehicle transport.
  • Call2Recycle, Inc. (App. 14849-M): Seeking to add ferry vessel as an authorized transport mode for battery recycling shipments. Covers motor vehicle, rail, and cargo vessel.
  • Call2Recycle, Inc. (App. 20851-M): A second application to authorize ferry vessel transport under a different permit. Covers motor vehicle and rail.
  • Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (App. 20902-M): Wants to add an additional hazardous material to an existing permit for passenger-carrying aircraft.
  • Tire Seal, Inc. (App. 21023-M): Seeking to authorize additional inside metal containers. Covers all five transport modes.
  • Porsche Logistik GmbH (App. 21269-M): Wants to remove the gross weight limitation from its permit. Covers cargo aircraft only.
  • Blue Origin, LLC (App. 21890-M): Seeking to reclassify an explosive hazard under its permit. Covers motor vehicle and cargo vessel.
  • Accuray Incorporated (App. 21985-M): Wants to authorize pneumatic testing under its permit. Covers all five transport modes.
  • BETA Technologies, Inc. (App. 22008-M): Seeking to increase the authorized mass of a battery and remove a specific product reference. Covers cargo aircraft only.

Why Does This Matter?

Special permits (sometimes called exemptions) allow companies to operate outside standard hazardous materials regulations when they can demonstrate equivalent safety. Modifications to these permits can expand what materials are covered, how they're packaged, or which transport modes are authorized.

For logistics professionals, aerospace companies, and public safety advocates, these changes can have meaningful real-world consequences — particularly when they involve explosive reclassification (Blue Origin) or expanded transport modes for battery shipments (Call2Recycle).

What You Should Do

This notice is not directly relevant to visa holders or immigration status. However, if you work in hazmat transportation, logistics, or safety compliance, you may want to review the specific applications at regulations.gov or the PHMSA Records Center.

To submit a comment, reference the application number and send it in triplicate to: Record Center, PHMSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590. All comments must be received by April 2, 2026. For questions, contact Donald Burger at (202) 366-4535.