Check whether a hazardous-material shipping paper is required at all
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- Record the mode of transport the file states, and whether the file describes the material as a hazardous substance, a hazardous waste, a marine pollutant, a limited quantity, or a Category B infectious substance. Copy a proper shipping name only if it is already written on the paper. Do not say the paper is complete, and do not rewrite it.
- What the lawyer must review
- 49 CFR section 172.200(a), as displayed on eCFR on 22 October 2026 and current on that site as of 19 October 2026, says that except as otherwise provided in the subpart, each person who offers a hazardous material for transportation shall describe it on the shipping paper in the manner the subpart requires. Subsection (b) says the subpart does not apply to any material, other than a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, or marine pollutant, that is identified by the letter A in column 1 of the section 172.101 table except when offered or intended for air; identified by the letter W except when offered or intended for water; a limited quantity package unless offered by aircraft or vessel; or a Category B infectious substance prepared in accordance with section 173.199. The rest of the subpart, the section 172.101 table, and section 173.199 were not opened. eCFR states that its content is authoritative but unofficial. You decide whether an exception applies. A generated description is not the shipping paper.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Do not begin AI assistance until the responsible lawyer has defined and confirmed its permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Verify the applicable jurisdiction and the version of each relevant law, rule or instrument in force at the material time.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.