What agency is authorized to regulate the shipment of hazardous materials in commerce?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the agency authorized to regulate the shipment of hazardous materials in commerce. This regulation includes overseeing the safe transportation of hazardous materials by various modes, including road, rail, air, and water. The DOT establishes guidelines and standards for packaging and labeling, ensuring that these materials are transported safely to protect both the public and the environment.

In the context of hazardous materials, the DOT develops and enforces the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), which dictate how these materials must be handled during transport. Their focus is on minimizing risk and ensuring that all parties involved in the transportation process comply with safety requirements.

While other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), play crucial roles in the broader context of environmental protection and regulation, they do not specialize in the transport logistics of hazardous materials. Similarly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates civil aviation, including the transportation of hazardous materials by air, but its authority is limited to aviation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) primarily focuses on workplace safety and health regulations, rather than the transport of hazardous goods. Therefore, the Department of Transportation is specifically responsible for commerce-related hazardous materials shipments.