HHS is removing Part 72 of Title 42, Code of Federal 
Regulations, which governs the interstate shipment of etiologic agents, 
because the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) already has in 
effect a more comprehensive set of regulations applicable to the 
transport in commerce of infectious substances. DOT harmonizes its 
transport requirements with international standards adopted by the 
United Nations (UN) Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous 
Goods for the classification, packaging, and transport of infectious 
substances. Rescinding the rule eliminates duplication of the more 
current DOT regulations that cover intrastate and international, as 
well as interstate, transport. HHS replaced those sections of Part 72 
that deal with select biological agents and toxins with a new set of 
regulations found in Part 73 of Title 42. Removal of Part 72 alleviates 
confusion and reduces the regulatory burden with no anticipated adverse 
impact on public health and safety.