<RULE>
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
<SUBAGY>Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration</SUBAGY>
<CFR>49 CFR Parts 192 and 195</CFR>
<DEPDOC>[Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0123]</DEPDOC>
<RIN>RIN 2137-AF91</RIN>
<SUBJECT>Pipeline Safety: Standards Update—ASTM A53/A53M</SUBJECT>
<HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD>
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
<HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD>
Direct final rule (DFR); confirmation of effective date.
<SUM>
<HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD>
PHMSA is confirming the effective date for the DFR that appeared in the
<E T="04">Federal Register</E>
on July 1, 2025. The DFR amended PHMSA's regulations at 49 CFR parts 192 and 195 to incorporate by reference ASTM International's updated industry standard ASTM A53/A53M, “Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless.”
</SUM>
<EFFDATE>
<HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD>
PHMSA confirms the effective date of January 1, 2026, for the DFR that appeared in the
<E T="04">Federal Register</E>
on July 1, 2025 (90 FR 28108).
</EFFDATE>
<FURINF>
<HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD>
Brianna Wilson, Transportation Specialist, by phone at 771-215-0969 or email at
<E T="03">brianna.wilson@dot.gov.</E>
</FURINF>
<SUPLINF>
<HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD>
On July 1, 2025 (90 FR 28108), PHMSA published a DFR amending its regulations at 49 CFR parts 192 and 195 to incorporate by reference the 2022 edition of ASTM A53/A53M, “Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless.” Reference to the 2022 approved version of the standard will replace existing references to ASTM A53/A53M-20, “Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless,” approved July 1, 2020, within 49 CFR 192.113, Appendix B to 49 CFR part 192, and 49 CFR 195.106(e).
PHMSA issued the DFR under the procedures set forth at 49 CFR 190.339. In accordance with those provisions, PHMSA stated in the DFR that if no adverse comments were received, the DFR would become final and effective on January 1, 2026. PHMSA did not receive any comments that warranted withdrawal of the DFR pursuant to 49 CFR 190.339(c). Although PHMSA received a single, anonymous comment criticizing the DFR, that comment lacked reasoning, grounded in the content of the 2022 edition of ASTM A53/A53M, for its assertion that the DFR would adversely affect safety. Therefore, this rule will become effective as scheduled.
<SIG>
<DATED>Issued in Washington, DC, on September 30, 2025, under the authority designated in 49 CFR 1.97.</DATED>
<NAME>Benjamin D. Kochman,</NAME>
Deputy Administrator.
</SIG>
</SUPLINF>
<FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-19337 Filed 10-1-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC>
</RULE>
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