HM Column on Shipping Paper
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration · Jun 30, 1995 · Reference No. 95-0101
Interprets: 49 CFR § 172.201
Reggie’s quick take
A shipper asked whether a shipping paper with a column labeled "HM" meets § 172.201(a)(1)(iii). The agency said yes. It found that the "HM" column clearly defines itself and sets hazardous material entries apart from non-hazardous ones, so the paper meets that rule. The letter does not describe the example in more detail, so it does not say what other layouts would pass.
Written by AI (Claude) on Oct 22, 2026. Robots make mistakes and leave things out, so the letter below is what counts. Not legal advice.
This is in response to your letter regarding whether the shipping paper example you provided this office is in compliance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-160). You state that your concern is whether the column captioned "HM" is in accordance with 172.201(a)(1)(iii).
It is our determination that the "HM" column, as shown in your shipping paper example, clearly defines the column and distinguishes it from non-hazardous material entries. Therefore, we conclude that your shipping paper would satisfy the requirement in § 172.201(a)(1)(iii).
A letter of interpretation applies the regulations to the facts the requester described. It isn’t a regulation and isn’t legal advice. The agency’s copy.