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Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 3:58 PM
Summary of Bill HR 3404
The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish minimum standards for the design, manufacture, and testing of compressed gas cylinders. These standards are intended to ensure that cylinders are safe for use and transportation. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Transportation develop a system for tracking the manufacture, sale, and distribution of compressed gas cylinders to improve oversight and accountability.
Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program for the inspection and testing of compressed gas cylinders to ensure their continued safety and reliability. This program will help prevent accidents and ensure that cylinders are properly maintained. Overall, the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023 seeks to enhance the safety and oversight of compressed gas cylinders in the United States through the establishment of minimum standards, tracking systems, and inspection programs. By implementing these measures, the bill aims to reduce the risk of accidents and improve the overall safety of compressed gas cylinders.
Congressional Summary of HR 3404
Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023
This bill expands the application, testing, and inspection requirements for a foreign manufacturer of cylinders used for transporting hazardous materials in the United States (e.g., compressed gas cylinders).
Current regulations require a foreign manufacturer to apply for approval from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for testing such cylinders outside of the United States. The bill requires that, to obtain an approval, a foreign manufacturer must answer in their application specified questions, including whether the manufacturer is or has been subject to various civil or criminal penalties.
Further, DOT must establish a process for any interested party to request a reevaluation of an approval for a foreign manufacturer's cylinders to review the accuracy and safety of the manufacturer's actions.
DOT must also revise the foreign inspection regulations to
- require that annual inspections of foreign manufacturers be carried out if DOT determines there is good cause;
- specify that a refusal of inspection shall result in the loss of good standing;
- allow DOT to request testing and production records and random sample testing; and
- allow for the recovery of the costs of foreign inspections, including travel and time.
The bill limits an approval to one year; however, DOT may extend an approval for five years for a manufacturer who meets certain requirements.
On an annual basis, DOT must publish a list of approved foreign manufacturers of cylinders on the department's website.
