Industry Standard, HCA Layer, and Drug & Alcohol Testing Updates
Three rulemakings or updates have been issued in the last two weeks that pipeline operators should be aware of. Firstly, PHMSA has published to the Federal Register a Final Rule titled Periodic Standards Update II which incorporates by reference 19 updated industry standards in addition to other updates. Secondly, PHMSA issued a notice to operators via email regarding updates to hazardous liquid High Consequence Area (HCA) layers through the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). Finally, the Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Drug & Alcohol testing requirements that will apply to PHMSA jurisdictional operators
Read on for details on all three regulatory updates.
Periodic Standards Update II Final Rule
These updated standards are different from and in addition to those listed in the Direct Final Rule from June of earlier this year. In this Final Rule PHMSA is also clarifying certain regulatory provisions and making editorial corrections. This rule is a follow on to an August 2022 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) recommending the same action.
Notably, the rule also incorporates updates to 49 CFR 192 Appendix G, Guidance on Moderate Consequence Areas. This Appendix provides detail on terms like “Other Principal Arterial”, “Minor Arterials”, and “Major and Minor Collectors”, replacing the currently outsourced references to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
This Final Rule is effective January 10, 2026.
The following standard updates are organized by the industry trade group publishing the document.
American Petroleum Institute (API)
API RP 652, Linings of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Bottoms, 5th Edition (May 2020)
Replaces 3rd Edition
API RP 2003, Protection Against Ignitions Arising out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents, 8th Edition (Sept 2015; reaffirmed Mar 2020)
Replaces 7th Edition
API Spec 12F, Specification for Shop-welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids, 13th Edition (Jan 2019)
Replaces 12th Edition
API 510, Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: In-Service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration, 10th Edition (May 1 2014), including Addendum 1 (May 2017)
Replaces 9th Edition
API Std 2510, Design and Construction of LPG Installations, 9th Edition (Aug 2020)
Replaces 8th Edition
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ASME B16.40-2019, Manually Operated Thermoplastic Gas Shutoffs and Valves in Gas Distribution Systems (Feb 11 2019)
Replaces 2008 Version
ASME B31.4-2019, Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries: ASME Code for Pressure Piping, B31 (Nov 1 2019)
Replaces 2006 Version
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
ANSI/ASNT ILI-PQ-2017, In-line Inspection Personnel Qualification and Certification, 2017 Edition (approved Dec 12 2017)
Replaces 2010 Version
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP, formerly NACE)
NACE SP0102-2017, In-Line Inspection of Pipelines (Mar 10 2017)
Replaces 2010 Version
ASTM International
ASTM A372/A372M-20e1, Carbon and Alloy Steel Forgings for Thin-Walled Pressure Vessels (approved Mar 1 2020)
Replaces 2010 Version
ASTM A672/A672M-19, Electric-Fusion-Welded Steel Pipe for High-Pressure Service at Moderate Temperatures (approved Nov 1 2019)
Replaces 2009 Version
ASTM D2513-20, Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pressure Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings (approved Dec 1 2020)
Replaces 2018 Version
ASTM D2564-20, Solvent Cements for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Piping Systems (approved Aug 1 2020)
Replaces 2012 Version
ASTM F1055-16a, Electrofusion Type Polyethylene Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene and Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe and Tubing (approved Nov 15 2016)
Replaces 2006 Version
ASTM F1924-19, Plastic Mechanical Fittings for Use on Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene Gas Distribution Pipe and Tubing (approved Aug 1 2019)
Replaces 2012 Version
ASTM F1948-20, Metallic Mechanical Fittings for Use on Outside Diameter Controlled Thermoplastic Gas Distribution Pipe and Tubing (approved Feb 1 2020)
Replaces 2012 Version
ASTM F2620-20ae2, Heat Fusion Joining of Polyethylene Pipe and Fittings, Standard Practice (approved Dec 1 2020)
Replaces 2019 Version
ASTM F2785-21, Polyamide 12 Gas Pressure Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings (approved Jul 1 2021)
Replaces 2012 Version
NFPA
NFPA 30, “Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code,” 2021 Edition, effective August 31, 2020.
Replaces 2012 Version
Hazardous Liquid HCA Layer Updates
PHMSA has also provided three updated High Consequence Area (HCA) GIS data layers to support operators subject to hazardous liquid Integrity Management Programs (IMP). Operators must use these PHMSA-provided data layers to compare to maps of their pipeline centerlines to determine if those pipelines can affect identified HCAs.
PHMSA has released Version 6 of High Population Area (HPA) and Other Population Area (OPA) data layers. This data can be downloaded through the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) website, viewed through the NPMS Public Viewer, or through the operator viewer in PIMMA.
Additionally, Ecological (Eco) Unusually Sensitive Areas (USA) data is updated and available by request or through the operator viewer in PIMMA.
Operators will need to review the updated HPA, OPA, and Eco layers to determine if there are changes to their pipelines subject to hazardous liquid IMP regulations or if total lengths of HCA footages have changed.
DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The Department of Transportation (DOT) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend its drug-testing program regulation, 49 CFR part 40 to add fentanyl and norfentanyl to its drug testing panels. The NPRM also proposes to amend certain provisions of part 40 to harmonize, as appropriate, with the current Health and Human Services (HHS) Mandatory Guidelines. This NPRM also proposes to clarify certain existing part 40 drug testing program provisions and to make technical amendments.
Several provisions of 49 CFR 199, Drug and Alcohol Testing, which guides pipeline operators subject to PHMSA regulations, reference 49 CFR Part 40, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs. Therefore, operators will need to be aware of changes to Part 40 and update programs accordingly. Comments on this NPRM are due to the DOT by October 17, 2025.
Operators will want to stay up-to-date on all the changes issued by PHMSA and other relevant agencies. If you would like to receive our expert analysis please contact Lauren.Tipton@ElementalCompliance.com for further details and to keep your pipeline safety programs up to speed with the rapidly changing regulatory landscape. Also consider signing up for our Regulatory Compliance Newsletter on our website where we provide real time updates on PHMSA and state pipeline safety activities straight to your email. Sign up at https://www.elementalcompliance.com/about.