July 2025 Direct Final Rule Filing from PHSMA
- RegSafe
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
At 4:15 PM on Friday, June 27, 2025, the Federal Register announced that PHMSA has issued several Direct Final Rules. These rules are used for routine or non-controversial matters and become effective on a specified date unless substantive adverse comments are received during the public comment period.
If no such comments are submitted, the agency confirms the rule's implementation in the Federal Register. However, if adverse comments are received, the rule must be withdrawn before taking effect. The agency may then either issue a proposed rule through the standard process or terminate the rulemaking altogether.
These Direct Final Rules (DFRs) address current and past Executive Orders by classifying themselves as neither "significant regulatory actions," "significant energy actions," nor "major rules." They also estimate that their net cost to the regulated community is "less than zero."
Pipeline Safety Direct Final Rulings
Effective October 9, 2025, unless adverse comments are received by September 2, 2025.
Adjust Annual Report Filing Timelines
This DFR extends the annual report deadline for gas pipeline operators of gas distribution pipelines, gas transmission pipelines, regulated gas gathering pipelines, Type R gas gathering lines, underground natural gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities to June 15, aligning it with hazardous liquid pipeline reporting.
PHMSA clarifies that recent pressure testing recordkeeping requirements do not apply retroactively to MAOP reconfirmation for onshore steel gas pipelines transmission lines.
This DFR clarifies that PHMSA’s right-of-way patrol requirements are technology-neutral, allowing remote sensing methods like drones and satellites for compliance.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued technical amendments to incorporate the 2018 edition of the ASME B31.8S standard into specific pipeline safety regulations following the resolution of related litigation and in response to industry petitions, aligning the rule with prior recommendations and ensuring regulatory consistency without imposing new compliance costs.
This DFR updates the property damage threshold for reportable gas and hazardous liquid pipeline incidents by clarifying excluded indirect impacts and adopting an inflation-adjusted threshold for hazardous liquid pipeline accidents matching that for gas pipelines.
Rationalize Calculation of Regulatory Filing and Compliance Deadlines
This DFR amends PHMSA’s procedural regulations to clarify that filing deadlines falling on weekends or Federal holidays are subject to specific rules of construction.
Direct Final Rule Standards Updates
Effective January 1, 2026, unless adverse comments are received by August 30, 2025
It is important to note that the adoption of the second edition of both API RP 1170 and API RP 1171 for the storage of gas in salt formations and depleted reservoirs is one of the more important updates of the Direct Final Rules.
Below are industry standards updated to enhance safety, clarity, and compliance while meeting NTTAA requirements.
As we move ahead, we’ll be assessing the impact of these changes—stay tuned for updates.
API RP 1170 and API RP 1171- This DFR amends PHMSA’s regulations to incorporate updated API standards for natural gas storage in both salt caverns and depleted reservoirs/aquifers
API RP 2026 - This DFR updates PHMSA’s regulations to incorporate the latest API RP 2026 standard
API Spec 6D - This DFR updates PHMSA’s regulations to incorporate the latest API Spec 6D valve standard
API STD 620 - This DFR updates PHMSA’s regulations to reference the latest API STD 620 for low-pressure storage tanks
ASTM A381/A381M - This DFR updates PHMSA’s regulations to reference ASTM A381/A381M-18 for welded steel pipe in high-pressure systems
ASTM A53/A53M - This DFR updates PHMSA’s regulations to reference the latest ASTM A53/A53M standard for steel pipe
ASTM A578/A578M - This DFR updates the PSRs to incorporate the latest ASTM A578/A578M standard for ultrasonic testing of steel plates
ASTM F1973 - This DFR updates the PSRs to incorporate ASTM F1973 for anodeless risers and fittings in PE, PA11, and PA12 gas systems
ASTM F2145 - This DFR incorporates the updated ASTM F2145 standard for PA11 and PA12 fittings
ASTM F2600 - This DFR incorporates the updated ASTM F2600 standard for PA11 electrofusion fittings
ASTM F2767 - This DFR incorporates the updated ASTM F2767 standard for PA12 electrofusion fittings
ASTM F2817 - This DFR incorporates the updated ASTM F2817 standard for PVC gas pressure pipe and fittings
ASTM F2945 - This DFR incorporates the updated ASTM F2945 standard for Polyamide 11 gas pressure pipe, tubing, and fittings
NFPA 70 - This DFR incorporates the updated NFPA 70 National Electrical Code into PHMSA’s pipeline safety regulations
PPI-TR 4 - This DFR incorporates the updated PPI TR-4 standard into PHMSA’s regulations
DISCLAIMER: This document provides an informal summary of some of the important effects of the rule, but it is not a substitute for the rule and should not be relied upon to determine legal compliance with the rule. If you are using public inspection listings for legal research, you should verify the contents of documents against a final, official edition of the Federal Register. Only official editions of the Federal Register provide legal notice of publication to the public and judicial notice to the courts under 44 U.S.C. 1503 & 1507. Learn more here.