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PHMSA Resources

Who PHMSA is, how they differ from FMCSA, and where to go with a specific hazmat compliance question.

Who PHMSA Is

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) — not FMCSA — writes and enforces the Hazardous Materials Regulations. FMCSA enforces highway/motor carrier safety rules generally; PHMSA specifically owns hazmat classification, packaging, and communication requirements across every mode of transportation, not just trucking.

When to Contact Them Directly

For a specific compliance question that isn't clearly answered by the regulatory text or guidance documents, PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Information Center takes calls and questions directly — often faster than trying to interpret an ambiguous section of the HMR alone.

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