49 CFR § 172.527 - Background requirements for certain placards.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s172.527"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 172.527 - Background requirements for certain placards."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "172.527"
section_name: "Background requirements for certain placards."
chapter_name: "PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS"
part_number: "172"
part_name: "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TABLE, SPECIAL PROVISIONS, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION, TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AND SECURITY PLANS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 5101-5128, 44701; 49 CFR 1.81, 1.96 and 1.97."
regulatory_source: "Amdt. 172-29, 41 FR 15996, Apr. 15, 1976, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "172"
---
# 172.527 Background requirements for certain placards.
(a) Except for size and color, the square background required by § 172.510(a) for certain placards on rail cars, and § 172.507 for placards on motor vehicles containing a package of highway route controlled quantity radioactive materials, must be as follows:
(b) In addition to meeting the requirements of § 172.519 for minimum durability and strength, the square background must consist of a white square measuring 14
1/4 inches (362.0 mm.) on each side surrounded by a black border extending to 15
1/4 inches (387.0 mm.) on each side.
[Amdt. 172-29, 41 FR 15996, Apr. 15, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 172-64, 46 FR 5316, Jan. 19, 1981; Amdt. 172-78, 48 FR 10226, Mar. 10, 1983]