CFR > Title 49 - Transportation > SUBTITLE B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation > CHAPTER I—PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Parts 105–199) > SUBCHAPTER C—HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS (Parts 171–181) > PART 172—HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TABLE, SPECIAL PROVISIONS, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION, TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AND SECURITY PLANS > SUBPART F—Placarding (§172.500 to §172.560) > 172.502—Prohibited and permissive placarding.

172.502—Prohibited and permissive placarding.

(a) Prohibited placarding. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may affix or display on a packaging, freight container, unit load device, motor vehicle or rail car—
(1) Any placard described in this subpart unless—
(i) The material being offered or transported is a hazardous material;
(ii) The placard represents a hazard of the hazardous material being offered or transported; and
(iii) Any placarding conforms to the requirements of this subpart.
(2) Any sign, advertisement, slogan (such as “Drive Safely”), or device that, by its color, design, shape or content, could be confused with any placard prescribed in this subpart.
(b) Exceptions. (1) The restrictions in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to a bulk packaging, freight container, unit load device, transport vehicle or rail car which is placarded in conformance with TDG Regulations, the IMDG Code or the UN Recommendations (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter).
(2) The restrictions of paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to the display of a BIOHHAZARD marking, a “HOT” marking, or an identification number on a white square-on-point configuration in accordance with §§ 172.323(c), 172.325(c), or 172.336(b) of this part, respectively.
(3) The restrictions in paragraph (a)(2) of this section do not apply until October 1, 2001 to a safety sign or safety slogan (e.g., “Drive Safely” or “Drive Carefully”), which was permanently marked on a transport vehicle, bulk packaging, or freight container on or before August 21, 1997.
(c) Permissive placarding. Placards may be displayed for a hazardous material, even when not required, if the placarding otherwise conforms to the requirements of this subpart.
[Amdt. 172-123, 55 FR 52599, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66259, Dec. 20, 1991; Amdt. 172-151, 62 FR 1230, Jan. 8, 1997; 62 FR 39389 and 39407, July 22, 1997; 66 FR 8647, Feb. 1, 2001; 66 FR 33426, June 21, 2001; 67 FR 53137, Aug. 14, 2002; 68 FR 75741, Dec. 31, 2003]