Explosives Makers Ask PHMSA to Ease Packaging Retest Rules

The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) filed a petition with PHMSA asking the agency to loosen periodic retesting requirements for two types of hazardous materials packagings used to ship commercial explosives and oxidizers. The petition, dated July 15, 2026, and posted to the agency's docket on October 6, targets 49 CFR 178.601(e).

IME wants the retest interval for UN 4G fiberboard combination packagings extended from every 24 months to every five years, matching practice in most other countries. It also wants the interval for UN-rated 5-series bag packagings extended from annually to every two years.

IME told PHMSA its member companies have used these packagings for decades without identifying defects tied to age when design and contents stay unchanged. The group said current retesting consumes production time and money without a safety benefit, citing one member company that manages about fifty box recertifications a year. IME said it would still support retesting whenever packaging design, materials or contents change, and argued the request would ease burdens on small businesses without affecting transportation safety.

PHMSA has not yet responded to the petition or opened a formal comment period.

All sources

• Other: Institute of Makers of Explosives- Petition for Rulemaking — Regulations.gov (PHMSA), 2026-10-06