The advances of modern transportation have made world wide shipping a reality. Due to improved transportation methods, a package being sent from Ohio to Japan may be transported by all modes of travel. Highway, rail, air and water. The same package may also pass through several different countries. When that package contains a hazardous material, protecting the public and the people who handle it becomes very important.

In order to meet this challenge and allow the United States to be more competitive with foreign markets, the Department of Transportation has introduced changes to the current requirements, contained in the code of federal regulations, for shipping and transporting hazardous materials. These changes were introduced in Docket HM-181.