USDOT/PHMSA (the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation) released the DOT Chart 17 – Hazardous Materials Markings, Labeling and Placarding Guide on July 08, 2021.

It replaces the DOT Chart 16 issued in August of 2017.

The purpose of the DOT Chart 17 is to assist shippers, carriers, and other stakeholders to quickly access information regarding hazardous materials markings, labels and placards.

Changes from the DOT Chart 16 to DOT Chart 17 are:

• A new color scheme.
• Hazardous Materials Markings:
  • Identification number display per 49 CFR 172.332 now includes the option of the white square-on-point configuration.
  • Removal of the Lithium Battery Handling Label. Transition to the Lithium Battery Handling Mark completed January 01, 2019 per §173.185.

Read: Lithium Battery Handling Label v. Lithium Battery Handling Mark

• • Removal of the ORM-D Consumer Commodity mark. Removal of the consumer commodity exception and required mark complete on January 01, 2021 per §172.316.
  • Inclusion of the Biohazard mark per §172.323.
  • Inclusion of the mark for petroleum sour crude oil in a bulk packaging per §172.327.

• Hazardous Materials Warning Labels:
  • Removal of “NEW” indicator for Class 9 Lithium Battery label. Its use for applicable packages of lithium batteries has been mandatory since January 01, 2019.
  • Removal of the optional display of the Class 9 Miscellaneous label. As of 01.20.21 there is only one option for display of the Class 9 Miscellaneous label.

Read: USDOT/PHMSA Revision to the Class 9 Label

• Hazardous Materials Warning Placards: No changes.
• General Guidelines on use of Warning Labels and Placards
  • Identification number display per §172.332 now includes the option of the white square-on-point configuration.

The DOT Chart 16 (now 17!) is a great tool to use in HazMat Employee Training and as a visual reminder of compliance once training is complete.