Competent Authority

A national agency responsible under its national law for the control or regulation of a particular aspect of the transportation of hazardous materials (dangerous goods). The term Appropriate Authority, as used in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions, has the same meaning as Competent Authority. For purposes of this subchapter, the Associate Administrator [of the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)] for Hazardous Materials Safety is the Competent Authority for the United States. (49CFR171)