HM-266: Modernizing Hazardous Materials Regulations

HM-266: Modernizing Hazardous Materials Regulations

The way we transport hazardous materials is evolving — and so are the regulations that keep people, property, and the environment safe. One of the most forward-looking efforts on this front is HM-266, a rulemaking initiative from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that aims to integrate highly automated transportation systems into the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

What Is HM-266?

HM-266 is an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) published by PHMSA in the Federal Register that seeks public input on how the existing Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171–180) should be modernized to account for the rapid growth of highly automated transportation systems (HATS) — including autonomous trucks, drones, and other automated delivery technologies.

Why Automation Challenges the Current HMR

At its core, HM-266 recognizes that the current HMR was written with traditional, human-operated conveyances in mind. As automation makes its way into freight and parcel transport, questions arise about how specific regulatory requirements — from hazard communication to inspections and emergency response obligations — apply when a human driver isn’t behind the wheel.

Key Regulatory Challenges Identified by PHMSA

Automated transportation systems promise increased efficiency, safety, and reliability, but they also raise new regulatory challenges:

• Hazard Communication & Documentation: Ensuring automated systems can accurately handle shipping papers, emergency response information, and placarding requirements.
• Loading/Unloading Safety: Determining how automated vehicles can safely perform operations that traditionally depend on trained personnel.
• Inspection & Enforcement: Clarifying who is responsible for inspections and regulatory compliance when a machine is involved.
• Training & Qualification: Reconsidering training requirements when personnel interact with the transport system is limited.

Why PHMSA Is Seeking Input Now

By soliciting stakeholder input now, PHMSA hopes to identify regulatory gaps or ambiguities before a formal proposed rule (NPRM) is developed, helping ensure that the HMR remain effective and enforceable in an era of automation.

Public Comment Deadline

The Federal Register notice for HM-266 sets a deadline for public comments March 4, 2026; an important opportunity for companies, industry groups, compliance professionals, and individual stakeholders to share practical insights, concerns, and suggestions that could shape the future of hazardous materials transportation regulation.

Where to Read the Official Notice

You can read the official Federal Register notice here:

 Read the HM‑266 Federal Register notice (90 FR 55836)

This link takes you to the government’s official publication of the ANPRM Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Regulations to Facilitate Transportation of Hazardous Materials Using Highly Automated Transportation Systems (Docket No. PHMSA-2024-0064).

Why HM-266 Matters

HM-266 is an early-stage Federal effort to ensure that the Hazardous Materials Regulations adapt to the realities of highly automated transport. It’s an important moment for stakeholders in safety, compliance, logistics, and emerging vehicle technologies to participate in shaping our regulatory framework for years to come.

Questions?

ICC The Compliance Center will continue to monitor PHMSA’s progress throughout the regulatory development process. If you have questions or need guidance on current or upcoming regulations, contact ICC The Compliance Center. Our team of experts is just a call away at 855.734.5469, or you can send us an email—we’re happy to help.

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