50+ Years of Promoting Safety - and Still Growing

Since 1972, Certified Hazmat/DG Managers and others responsible for the safe transportation of hazardous materials/dangerous goods have turned to COSTHA to stay informed and to maintain compliance while minimizing the impact on daily operations.

COSTHA members set the agenda and determine the priorities that serve the common good of our industry. Some key priorities and results over the years include the following:

COSTHA’s active role in Regulatory and Legislative Issues ensures that industry’s voice is heard at the highest levels with the US Department of Transportation (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration-PHMSA), Federal Aviation Administration and Congressional Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, and US Coast Guard.
COSTHA is an active member of the US Chamber of Commerce and participates on the Global Supply Chain Committee – a cost-effective way to get the message across to senior management, legislative, and regulatory representatives.
COSTHA partners with the Interested Parties Group, a coalition of over 45 trade associations whose members are involved in the safe and compliant transportation of hazardous materials.
The North American HazMat Action Committee (NAAHAC) successfully petitioned the US Department (US DOT) for regulatory relief from the burden of maintaining hazmat shipping papers for air bag inflators, air bag modules, and seat-belt pretensions, saving industry over $1 million per year.
COSTHA has worked tirelessly with the US Department of Transportation and continues to encourage them to update their processes and systems for the review and application of Special Permits and Competent Authority Approvals – a vital requirement for continued safe and secure transport of goods used in all types of industry.
COSTHA submitted an appeal to the US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) final rule (HM-233B), regarding hazardous materials transportation revisions of special permits procedures. The COSTHA petition highlighted some of the more impractical aspects of the proposed rulemaking.
COSTHA petitioned the US Department of Transportation asking them to incorporate the longstanding exceptions for small quantities of ethyl alcohol (SP 9275) into the HMR. This exception allows the shipment of beverages, foods, cosmetics and medicines, medical screening solutions, and concentrates containing ethyl alcohol, without having to meet some of the more burdensome hazmat transportation regulations (package markings, specification packaging, shipping papers, etc.).
We have petitioned the US DOT and work with the Environmental Protection Agency, the European Union, and industry trade groups to identify solutions for Reverse Logistics, recognition of the Dangerous Goods professional, and relief from overly burdensome regulations.
COSTHA has worked with a coalition of trade associations and petitioned the US DOT regarding the proposed, far reaching lithium battery rulemaking. If adopted as proposed, this rulemaking is not in harmony with international regulatory requirements and would adversely impact thousands of businesses without improvement to safety.
We continue to actively participate and represent members’ interests at the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE) and have saved our companies thousands of dollars by averting the adoption of impractical or overly restrictive regulations prior to their inclusion in the UN Model Regulations. COSTHA schedules regular conference calls to solicit input from all of the members about proposed changes to the regulations.

Today, COSTHA is not only the premier industry association, but also the industry leading provider of the most up-to-date information, publications, and training programs. And we consistently strive to deliver 100% member satisfaction.