PHMSA Implements Data-Driven Framework for Hazmat Transportation

PHMSA Press Releases

Published November 20th, 2025

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has released a new memorandum outlining a data-driven framework for its inspection and enforcement practices within the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety. This framework prioritizes outreach, inspection, and enforcement efforts based on data analysis to enhance hazardous materials transportation safety.

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What changed

PHMSA has issued a new memorandum establishing a data-driven framework for its inspection and enforcement activities concerning hazardous materials transportation. This initiative, detailed in the OHMS Inspection and Enforcement Priorities Memo, directs inspectors and investigators to focus on areas with the greatest potential safety impact, utilizing data analysis to guide their decisions. The framework also includes priorities for outreach to regulated entities to proactively prevent safety violations and accidents.

Regulated entities, particularly hazardous materials shippers, manufacturers, and requalification facilities, should review the outlined priorities. While this memo establishes internal agency priorities and does not impose new direct obligations, understanding these focus areas is crucial for ensuring compliance and aligning with PHMSA's safety objectives. Companies with past major safety violations and those involved in lithium battery or undeclared hazardous materials shipments via e-commerce platforms should anticipate increased scrutiny. The agency aims to promote national consistency and accountability in its enforcement actions.

What to do next

Review the OHMS Inspection and Enforcement Priorities Memo to understand PHMSA's focus areas.
Ensure hazardous materials classification and packaging selection processes align with stated outreach priorities.
Assess internal practices related to cylinder and drum manufacturing/requalification against inspection priorities.

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Office of Governmental, International, and Public Affairs U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
United States

Email:
phmsa.publicaffairs@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-4831
Fax: 202-366-7431

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

PHMSA Implements New Data-Driven Framework for Hazmat Transportation Inspection and Enforcement Standards

Thursday, November 20, 2025 For Immediate Release
PHMSA 17-25
Contact: PHMSAPublicAffairs@dot.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today released a first-of-its-kind memorandum outlining a new data-driven framework on outreach, inspection, and enforcement practices within its Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS). These new priorities support the Department’s core mission of upholding the highest of safety standards.

“Safety drives everything we do. That's why, for the first time ever, PHMSA is publicly highlighting key focus areas for our inspection and enforcement teams to drive meaningful improvements in the movement of hazardous materials,” said Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator Paul Roberti. “We aim to build safer communities across America through stronger compliance, enhanced partnerships, and higher safety standards for our industry.”

The memo directs PHMSA hazmat inspectors and investigators to focus on areas with the greatest potential impact on hazardous materials safety and to base their decisions on data-driven analyses. In addition to inspection and enforcement, the memo outlines priorities for outreach to regulated entities to help prevent safety violations and accidents before they occur.

Additional Information:

The OHMS inspection and enforcement priorities memo is available on PHMSA’s website here. This memo follows a similar effort already undertaken by PHMSA’s Office of Pipeline Safety, which can be found here.
Priorities in the memo are outlined below:

Outreach Priorities
•   Increasing communication and engagement with hazardous materials shippers
•   Supporting shipper understanding and compliance with hazardous materials package selection requirements
•   Promoting proper classification of materials prior to shipment

Inspection Priorities
•   General hazardous materials shippers
•   Cylinder requalification facilities
•   Domestic and foreign cylinder manufacturing facilities
•   Drum manufacturing operations
•   Drum recertification entities
•   Companies with past major safety violations
•   Lithium battery shippers
•   Undeclared hazardous materials shippers operating via e-commerce platforms

Enforcement Priorities
•   Ensure Timely and Accurate Case Processing
•   Focus on Risk-Based Enforcement
•   Promote National Consistency and Accountability
•   Leverage Data to Drive Strategic Improvements

*The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s mission is to protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our daily lives. Please visit www.phmsa.dot.gov for more information.