International Safe Container Act
Public Law 95-208 · H.R. 8159 · 95th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Dec 13, 1977 · Transportation and Public Works
Sponsor: Rep. John Murphy (D-NY-17)
Cosponsors (12): Rep. Mario Biaggi, Rep. John Breaux,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
(Measure passed Senate, amended (inserted text of S. 1597 as passed in Senate))
International Safe Container Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation on and after the date the International Convention for Safe Containers enters into force for the United States to enforce and carry out the provisions of the Convention.
Sets forth the duties of owners of containers, concerning approval and examination of containers.
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations regarding: (1) procedures for the testing, inspection, and initial approval of existing and new containers and of designs for new containers, including procedures relating to the affixing, invalidating, and removal of safety approval plates for containers; (2) procedures to be followed by owners of containers relating to the periodic examination of containers, as provided in the Convention; and (3) a method for developing, collecting, and disseminating data concerning container safety and the international transport of containers.
Allows the Secretary to: (1) authorize the affixation of a safety approval plate to any container which, after examination, is not found to have a safety approval plate attached to it and which the owner has established meets the standards of the Convention; (2) delegate and withdraw the delegation of authority to initially approve existing and new containers and designs for new containers, and to authorize the affixing of a safety approval plate; and (3) establish a schedule of fees to be charged and collected for services related to the testing inspection, end initial approval of containers and container designs.
Permits the Secretary to take action to ensure compliance with the Act. Provides that, beginning on the fifth anniversary of the date the convention enters into force for the United States, the Secretary may examine or require to be examined any existing container in international transport.
Authorizes the Secretary to issue detention or other necessary orders for containers not having valid safety approval plates. Establishes civil penalties for moving containers in violation of a detention order.
Prohibits discrimination against employees who have reported the existence of an unsafe container or who have reported violations of this Act.
Authorizes the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Transportation, to propose amendments to the Convention or to request a conference to amend the Convention.
Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
- Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee · House · referred to, reported by
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 16 actions.
- Dec 13, 1977Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-208.
- Dec 1, 1977PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Nov 29, 1977Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendment.
- Nov 4, 1977FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended (inserted text of S. 1597 as passed in Senate).
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Nov 3, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Nov 1, 1977FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Oct 12, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Jun 30, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.