Big Changes at the DOT: What the New HAZMAT Landscape Means for Your Brand
- Feb 20, 2026
- Flammables & Paint
- Batteries
There has been a lot of movement recently in federal shipping regulations. If you have been following the news from Washington, you might have seen that the Pipeline and HAZMAT Safety Administration (PHMSA) has been working through a series of major updates to the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
The headline was a proposed rule aimed at strengthening safety requirements for carbon dioxide pipelines. While the latest word is that this specific rule has been paused for further review under the new administration, the momentum behind stricter HAZMAT oversight is not slowing down. In fact, for e-commerce brands, the HAZMAT landscape is getting more technical every day, especially when it comes to lithium batteries and high-stakes auditing.
Lithium Batteries: The Moving Target
The most immediate impact for most brands is not pipelines; it is the lithium batteries inside their products. PHMSA recently updated the rules for lithium-ion batteries—Rule HM-215Q—which requires clearer Watt-hour markings on the outside of cases for larger batteries.
Even if your product has not changed, the way it is handled by carriers has. Carriers are under immense pressure to prevent fires, which means they are scrutinizing every label. As our Chief Revenue Officer, John Pistone, notes, brands often get confused and put both a stripe and a diamond label on a box. This "label conflict" is a red flag that can stop your shipment in its tracks.
Beginning in 2026, air transport for certain lithium-ion batteries must also not exceed a 30% State of Charge. This rule affects products like vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries and batteries packed with equipment if they exceed specific power ratings.
The Rise of Sodium-Ion Batteries
A major new development is the proposed regulation of sodium-ion batteries. PHMSA has proposed new shipping descriptions—UN3551 and UN3552—to regulate sodium-ion batteries in the same way as lithium-ion batteries. This change reflects the increasing use of sodium-ion technology as an alternative to lithium. New entries are also being added for vehicles powered by these batteries, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, to address the growth in personal mobility devices.
The Shift Toward Third-Party Audits
The way your paperwork is vetted is also changing. Marketplaces and carriers are now outsourcing documentation reviews to specialized testing facilities. These auditors have zero tolerance for errors.
If your test reports or Safety Data Sheets (SDS) look like they were "written in crayon," as John puts it, they will be rejected. This is a huge shift. It means the technical side of your business—the UN numbers and transportation sections of your SDS—now has a direct impact on your ability to sell on major platforms.
How G10 Fulfillment Protects Your Growth
At G10, we view these shifting rules as something we manage on your behalf so you do not have to become a regulatory expert. We treat compliance as a core strength, not a side project.
- Expert Documentation: We do not just store your boxes; we vet your paperwork. We make sure the UN numbers match your products and that your SDS is ready for a professional audit.
- Precision Labeling: We know exactly which marks are required and which ones cause "conflicts". Whether it is a standard square candy stripe or a fully regulated Class 9 diamond, we ensure your shipments are compliant from the moment they hit the dock.
- International Harmonization: We monitor proposed updates that align U.S. rules with international standards for air, ocean, and cross-border shipping with Canada. This alignment helps reduce delays and regulatory inconsistencies for brands engaged in global commerce.
- Deep Certification: Our team is trained by the same experts that major marketplaces use to vet their own sellers. We handle everything from small electronics to big items like zero-turn lawn mowers and power stations.
The regulatory environment is going to keep evolving, but that does not have to slow you down. While we keep an eye on the latest news from the DOT and PHMSA, you can stay focused on building your brand. We will handle the fine print!
