FAR 23.301—Definition.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 23.301 is a definition section, and its main job is to tell readers where to find the controlling meaning of the term “hazardous material” for purposes of FAR Part 23. It does not create a separate substantive handling, labeling, or reporting requirement by itself; instead, it points users to the latest version of Federal Standard No. 313 for the operative definition. The section also identifies how Federal Standards are made available to the public and Federal agencies, specifically through the General Services Administration, Specifications Unit (3FBP-W), at the listed Washington, DC address. In practice, this means contracting officers, contractors, and compliance staff must use the current Federal Standard No. 313 definition when interpreting solicitations, contracts, and related environmental, safety, and transportation obligations. The section matters because the definition of hazardous material can affect contract clauses, packaging, shipping, storage, labeling, training, reporting, and risk controls, so using the wrong version or assuming a common-language meaning can lead to compliance errors.
Key Rules
Use the latest standard
The term “hazardous material” is defined by the latest version of Federal Standard No. 313. Users must rely on the current standard rather than an outdated edition or an informal understanding of the term.
Definition controls interpretation
This section serves as the governing reference point for the meaning of hazardous material in this part of the FAR. Any contract or compliance analysis that uses the term should be checked against Federal Standard No. 313.
Federal Standards are publicly available
The section states that Federal Standards are sold to the public and Federal agencies. This means the definition source is accessible and not limited to internal government use.
GSA is the access point
Federal Standards may be obtained through the General Services Administration, Specifications Unit (3FBP-W), at the listed address. Users needing the definition source must know where to obtain it.
No substantive handling rule here
FAR 23.301 itself does not prescribe packaging, labeling, transportation, or disposal requirements. Those obligations, if applicable, come from other FAR provisions, agency rules, or external statutes and standards.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Use the current Federal Standard No. 313 definition when drafting, evaluating, or administering requirements that mention hazardous material. Ensure solicitations and contracts point to the correct controlling definition and do not rely on obsolete terminology.
Contractor
Identify whether contract performance involves hazardous material by checking the latest Federal Standard No. 313. Apply the correct definition when planning compliance actions, training, shipping, storage, and reporting.
Agency
Make sure internal guidance, clauses, and procurement documents align with the current definition source. Provide or direct users to the proper Federal Standard access point when needed.
Compliance/Safety Personnel
Verify that hazardous material determinations are based on the latest standard and that downstream controls match the defined category. Flag discrepancies between contract language and the controlling standard.
Practical Implications
Always verify the current edition of Federal Standard No. 313 before making a hazardous material determination; using an outdated version is a common compliance mistake.
Do not treat “hazardous material” as a generic everyday term in contract performance—its FAR meaning may be narrower or different from common usage.
If a solicitation or contract uses the term, confirm whether other clauses, agency supplements, or external regulations impose additional requirements beyond the definition itself.
Keep a reliable source for obtaining Federal Standards, since the section points users to GSA for access rather than reproducing the definition in the FAR text.
When in doubt, document the basis for your hazardous material determination so the contracting file and contractor compliance records show which standard was used.
Official Regulatory Text
Hazardous material is defined in the latest version of Federal Standard No. 313 Federal Standards are sold to the public and Federal agencies through: General Services Administration, Specifications Unit (3FBP-W), 7th & D Sts., SW., Washington, DC 20407.