   
  
G/TBT/N/USA/1978/Add.1  
 
 
30 January 2024  
(24-0671) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  29 January 2024, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of America . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Title:  Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus Standards  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[ ] Comment period changed - date:   
[ ] Notified measure adopted - date:  
[X] Notified measure published - date: 26 January 2024  
[X] Notified measure enters into force - date: 26 March 2024  
[X] Text of final measure available from1:  
89 Federal Register (FR) 5113, Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 227:  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2024-01-26/html/2024 -01074.htm  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2024-01-26/pdf/2024 -01074.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/202 4/TBT/USA/final_measure/24_00786_00
_e.pdf  
[ ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if measure re -notified:   
[ ] Content or scope of notified measure changed  and text available from1:  
New deadline for comments (if applicable):   
[ ] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
[ ] Other:  
 
Description:  Final Rule - The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is amending its regulations 
related to occupational noise exposure in three ways. First, in response to a congressional mandate, 
FRA is expanding those regulations to require that railroads provide an appropriate atmosphere -
supplying emergency escape breathing apparatus to every train crew member and certain other 
employees while they are occupying a locomotive cab of a freight train transporting a hazardous 
material that would pose an inhalation hazard  in the event of release during an accident. Second, 
FRA is changing the name of this part of its regulations from "Occupational Noise Exposure'' to 
"Occupational Safety and Health in the Locomotive Cab'' to reflect the additional subject matter of 
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final /modified  measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/USA/1978/Add.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  this fi nal rule and to make other conforming amendments. Third, FRA is removing the provision 
stating the preemptive effect of this part of FRA's regulations because it is unnecessary.  
This final rule is effective 26 March 2024. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 26 March 2024.  
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 227  
This final rule and the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking notified as G/TBT/N/USA/1978  
are identified by Docket Number FRA -2009-0044. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov 
at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FRA -2009-0044/document  and provides access to primary 
and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessi ble from 
Regulations.gov  by searching the Docket Number.  
__________  
 
 