Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Essay Example

The 49 CFR (49^th Title of the Code of Federal Regulations) embodies the rules and regulation that federal agencies of the United States, Homeland Security and Departments of Transportation have adopted regarding security in the transportation sector, in this case in the transportation of hazardous materials. The document is divided into twelve chapters that define the protocols, regulations and standards that have to be adhered to under different modes and types of transportation situations.

49 CFR is a set of crucial standards that set the requirement within the logistics and transportation system to secure the well-being of the system, its stakeholders and the environment. These standards are critical in the sustenance of a system that ensures the secure transportation and logistics of hazardous materials within the borders of the United States. Day-to-day operations in the manufacturing and transportation of hazardous materials have to adhere to an industry-wide standard that requires proper registration and recognition by the appropriate governing authority.

It essentially outlines the remedies that may result in the case the set rules are broken. This is complemented by a list of the responsibilities of the various stakeholders within the logistics and transportation of hazardous materials (United States Dep. of Labor, 2015). Of particular interest in the responsibilities of “shippers” or transporters. It also outlines the carries responsibilities and the requirements pertaining to incident reporting.

Without these standards and regulations, there would be a highly risky logistics and transportation system. A system-wide standard allows for a level playing field in the logistics and transportation sector. However, an unregulated system would potential develop security loopholes that may compromise the functionality of whole system as well as the well-being of the stakeholders (transport companies, their clients and the economy).

References

United States Dep. of Labor. (2015, March 10). Transporting Hazardous Materials. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from OSHA.gov: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trucking_industry/transportinghazardousmaterials.html