Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025
The Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025 would beef up federal regulation of foreign manufacturers of cylinders used to transport hazardous materials. It requires the Secretary of Transportation to tighten approvals for foreign manufacturers (FMOCs) by generally limiting approvals to one year, with a possible five-year term only if specific conditions are met (such as compliance with safety and import rules and a commitment to promptly inform the Secretary of changes). The bill adds stricter oversight tools, including more frequent inspections, penalties for obstructing inspections, a process for reevaluating existing FMOC approvals, and a public, transparent application process with notice and comment. It also introduces additional disclosure questions to better assess safety risk, creates an annual FMOC listing, and authorizes foreign inspections with cost recovery. Overall, the aim is to improve safety and accountability in the supply chain for cylinders used to move hazardous materials into and within the United States.
Key Points
- 1Approval duration and conditions: Default 1-year FMOC approvals, with a potential 5-year approval only if the FMOC meets specified criteria (e.g., no prohibited cylinders entering the U.S., accurate information, proactive reporting of changes, and the FMOC being in good standing).
- 2Inspections and enforcement: The Secretary may suspend or terminate FMOC approvals for obstructing inspections; the Act would require or allow annual or other periodic inspections and authorize cost recovery for foreign inspections; it also allows penalties for misrepresentation or noncompliance.
- 3Reevaluation process: Within 1 year of enactment, a process would be established allowing interested parties to request reevaluation of FMOC approvals if there is evidence of inaccuracies or safety concerns.
- 4Application transparency and additional screening: New requirements for public notice and a 30-day comment period for FMOC applications; applicants must answer added safety and compliance questions (e.g., penalties, Do Not Pay status, DoD/Commerce lists, antidumping orders, etc.), enabling possible denial based on responses.
- 5Public listing and ongoing oversight: The Secretary must publish and maintain a yearly list of approved FMOCs and the duration of their approvals; inspections for foreign manufacturers would become more routine and potentially more costly, with provisions for production records and random testing as appropriate.