Mission:

To promote a uniform global approach to the safe transportation of hazardous materials through the development of consistent domestic and international regulations.

The functions of this Office are:

1. Represent the United States at international meetings to facilitate the development of internationally harmonized regulations for the transport of hazardous materials.
   
   
2. Work with industry and the public to ensure that U.S. interests are clearly conveyed and considered in the development of international standards.
   
   
3. Promote and enhance consistency between the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations and the United Nations Recommendations, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.
   
   
4. Develop consistent regulations covering transborder transport of hazardous materials within North America under the auspices of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Land Transportation Standards Sub-Committee (LTSS).
   
   

About the Activities of the Office of International Standards:

Representatives from the Office of International Standards participate in a number of international fora in order to ensure U.S. interests are communicated and considered in the development of international standards and regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials. U.S. industry and public comment on positions taken at these international meetings are solicited through public meetings which are announced in the Federal Register. The U.S. objective is to promote a worldwide system that affords the necessary consistency between modal and regional regulations that will guarantee the free and safe movement of shipments. Consistency of regulations enhances understanding of the regulations, increases the level of regulatory compliance and consequently enhances transportation safety. Adoption of inequitable or incompatible international requirements could have a serious impact on U.S. foreign trade in chemicals.