What is HM-ACCESS?

PHMSA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety is collaborating with modal administrations, industry representations and emergency response organizations to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits in allowing the use of electronic shipping papers in lieu of paper documents. The HM-ACCESS initiative aims to identify and eliminate barriers to the use of paperless tracking and hazard communications technologies, thereby (1) improving the availability and accuracy of hazard and response information for shipments and packages which are tracked electronically; (2) improving the speed by which information is available to emergency responders when accidents occur; (3) improving the security of imported containers through better knowledge of shipments and reduced potential for diversion; and (4) allowing U.S. companies to compete more effectively in the global economy by using the best tools available.

Spurred by competitive demands, just-in-time delivery requirements, and the globalization of supply chains, the transportation and logistics industries have embraced modern communication technologies; yet hazardous materials transport remains in a world of paper. The hazmat sector has harnessed many of the same technologies for streamlining commercial interchange, but information about shipments and packages is conveyed by markings on the package, placards on the vehicle, and shipping papers. Paper-based communication is slow, limits the information available, and is fraught with the potential for error. Inefficiencies and errors in the handling of hazardous materials produce increased risk throughout the transport chain due to increased storage time, mishandling, and ineffective or inaccurate hazard communication. Moreover, paper-based communication may be least effective at the very time when hazard communication is most critical in the immediate aftermath of a transportation incident.

We expect the integration of electronic transfer of shipping information to be generational. Among hazardous materials carriers, vessel, rail, and air transport organizations have stated that they are ready to begin utilizing electronic shipping paper technology, subject only to regulatory authorization. In the highway mode, the larger, technologically-advanced companies are prepared to implement electronic systems, but widespread use among the industry is a longer-term proposition. In any case, however, we cannot transition any part of the hazmat transportation sector to new hazard communication systems without assuring that emergency response officials are prepared and equipped to receive the hazard information at least as quickly and reliably as under the current system.

Next Step: PHMSA will be initiating a Proof-of-Concept Study on this initiative and will be hosting a ‘Needs Assessment’ public meeting to develop a complete statement of work. Dates and more information to come.