---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 5120"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "5120"
heading: "International uniformity of standards and requirements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/5120"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — General and Intermodal Programs"
  - "Chapter 51 — Transportation of Hazardous Material"
---

# §5120. International uniformity of standards and requirements

- (a) **Participation in International Forums.—** Subject to guidance and direction from the Secretary of State, the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) of Transportation shall participate in international forums that establish or recommend mandatory standards and requirements for transporting [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) in international [commerce](/usc/49/5102.md?p=1).
- (b) **Consultation.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) may consult with interested authorities to ensure that, to the extent practicable, [regulations](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16) the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) prescribes under sections [5103(b)](/usc/49/5103.md?p=b), [5104](/usc/49/5104.md), [5110](/usc/49/5110.md), and [5112](/usc/49/5112.md) of this title are consistent with standards and requirements related to transporting [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) that international authorities adopt.
- (c) **Differences With International Standards and Requirements.—** This section—
  - (1) does not require the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) to prescribe a standard or requirement identical to a standard or requirement adopted by an international authority if the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) decides the standard or requirement is unnecessary or unsafe; and
  - (2) does not prohibit the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) from prescribing a safety standard or requirement more stringent than a standard or requirement adopted by an international authority if the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) decides the standard or requirement is necessary in the public interest.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, §§ 7117, 7126, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1902, 1909.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 5120(a) | 49 App.:1804(d)(1). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, § 105(d), 88 Stat. 2157; restated Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615 § 4, 104 Stat. 3252. |
| 5120(b) | 49 App.:1804(d)(2) (1st sentence). |  |
| 5120(c) | 49 App.:1804(d)(2) (last sentence). |  |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2005—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary may” for “Secretary of Transportation may”.

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7117(a), inserted “and requirements” after “standards”.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary to prescribe” for “Secretary of Transportation to prescribe”.

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7117(b)(1), inserted “or requirement” after “standard” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7117(b)(2), struck out “included in a standard” before “adopted” and inserted “standard or” before “requirement” wherever appearing.