PHMSA Issues Safety Advisory for Shippers and Carriers of Air Bags
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a safety advisory to warn shippers and carriers of potential dangers and compliance issues arising from the sale of counterfeit airbags as replacement parts to consumers and repair professionals. PHMSA was recently alerted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the problem, it said. Although the NHTSA isn't aware of any fatalities or injuries caused by the counterfeit equipment, testing has shown malfunctions ranging from non-deployment of the air bag to expulsion of metal shrapnel when bags are deployed, PHMSA said. PHMSA said counterfeit airbags that are activated by pyrotechnic devices are unapproved explosives, and may not transported in the U.S.
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Counterfeit airbags are ‘unapproved,’ may not be transported. Because many airbags contain explosive devices, which are regulated by PHMSA, these airbags must be approved by PHMSA before the airbag is authorized for transportation in commerce. An airbag without approval, including a counterfeit airbag, is considered a forbidden explosive as specified in Section 173.54(a) of the Hazardous Materials Regulations, and may not be offered for transportation or transported in commerce.
Approved airbags must meet packaging requirements. An approved airbag may be shipped under the description “UN3268, Air bag inflators, or Air bag modules, or Seat-belt pretensioners, 9, PGIII.” The airbag must be in rigid outer packaging that meets the general packaging requirements of 49 CFR 173, packaging specification requirements of 49 CFR 178, and is designed and constructed to prevent movement of the articles and inadvertent operation. Authorized packagings are as follows: 1A2, 1B2, 1G or 1H2 drums; 3A2 or 3H2 jerricans; and 4C1, 4C2, 4D, 4F, 4G or 4H2 boxes. Shipments of Class 9 air bags are required to display a Class 9 label. Also, when offered for transportation, shipping papers accompanying an airbag must contain the EX number or product code for each approved device.
Agencies working with CBP to target importers of counterfeit goods. PHMSA and NHTSA are continuing to work with CBP’s Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center to identify and target potential manufacturers and importers of these unapproved devices in order to prevent the entry of unsafe products into the U.S., the notice said. PHMSA is also working with the regulated community to assess and monitor concerns related to the reverse logistics of these devices.
Shippers or carriers that believe they are in possession of an unapproved device should contact the Hazardous Materials Information Center at (800) 467-4922 or (202) 366-4488.