The Hazardous Materials Registration Program administered by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Special Programs (RSPA) began its 1999-2000 registration year on July 1, 1999. Under the program, transporters and offerors of hazardous materials regulated under Title 49 of the
Code of Federal Regulations must register annually with DOT and pay a fee.
RSPA regulations apply to barge operators engaged in the carriage of packaged hazardous materials; however, members engaged in the bulk transportation of hazardouns materials by vessel are not required to participate in the registration program because these movements are governed exclusively by USCG regulations under Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations.