Hazmat Civil Penalties are Raised for the Second Time in 2021

Federal law concerning compliance orders and civil penalties are subject to change. The US Department of Transportation has increased hazmat civil penalties for regulatory violations effective May 3, 2021, including violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). The increase apply to hazardous materials violations by ground, air, and sea transportation.

Adjusting Hazmat Civil Penalties

The new hazmat civil penalty amounts are as follows:

1. The maximum hazmat civil penalty for hazmat shipping violations has risen from $83,439 to $84,425 per day, per violation.

2. For a violation that results in death, serious illness, severe injury, or substantial property damage, the maximum hazmat civil penalty has risen from $194,691 to $196,992 per day, per violation.

3. The minimum penalty for failure to provide hazmat training for employees has risen from $502 to $508 per employee, per day.

[see 49 USC 5123(a)(1), (2), and (3)]