(a) Participation in International Forums. - Subject to guidance and direction from the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Transportation shall participate in international forums that establish or recommend mandatory standards and requirements for transporting hazardous material in international commerce. (b) Consultation. - The Secretary of Transportation may consult with interested authorities to ensure that, to the extent practicable, regulations the Secretary prescribes under sections 5103(b), 5104, 5110, and 5112 of this title are consistent with standards related to transporting hazardous material that international authorities adopt. (c) Differences With International Standards and Requirements. - This section - (1) does not require the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe a standard identical to a standard adopted by an international authority if the Secretary decides the standard is unnecessary or unsafe; and (2) does not prohibit the Secretary from prescribing a safety requirement more stringent than a requirement included in a standard adopted by an international authority if the Secretary decides the requirement is necessary in the public interest.