PHMSAFinal Rule

Pipeline Safety: Standards Update—ASTM F2600

EnergyEnvironmentTransportation

Summary

The federal government updated safety standards for pipelines that carry hazardous liquids, adopting new technical guidelines from ASTM (a standards organization) to improve how pipelines are designed, tested, and maintained. These changes help reduce the risk of pipeline leaks and accidents that could harm communities and the environment.

Key Points

  • 1Pipeline operators must now follow updated ASTM F2600 standards for inspection and maintenance of hazardous liquid pipelines
  • 2The new standards improve safety testing requirements to catch potential problems before pipelines fail or leak
  • 3Pipeline companies will need to update their equipment, procedures, and training to meet the new safety guidelines
  • 4Communities near pipelines benefit from stricter safety rules that reduce the risk of dangerous spills and accidents
  • 5The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will enforce these standards through inspections and compliance checks

Impact Assessment

If you are an energy company operating hazardous liquid pipelines, this means you must upgrade your pipeline design, testing, and maintenance procedures to meet new ASTM F2600 standards, requiring capital investment and operational changes to ensure safety compliance.

Impact Level
Significant
Geographic Scope

National

Compliance Cost

Significant

Who is Affected
Energy CompaniesTransportation CompaniesManufacturersState Governments

Key Dates

Published

October 2, 2025

Regulatory Connections

Amends CFR Sections
49 CFR Part 195

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.