Article explains what dangerous goods are and how they are regulated across the world when they are transported by road, air or sea.
Chemicals and explosive materials are obviously hazardous.
But everyday items can also contain hazards that are not at first apparent.
For example, camping equipment can include flammable gases. Household cleaning products can contain corrosive materials.
In fact, the internet is a growth area for dangerous goods shipments
Many cosmetics, medications and lithium batteries, are bought online. There is widespread ignorance that dangerous goods rules apply.
A bottle of perfume or after-shave can easily be bought in a shop and taken home without application of dangerous goods regulations. However, if ordered from a website, it immediately becomes subject to the regulations.
Small lithium batteries are found in mobile phones, laptops and AEDs. Large batteries in products like power bicycles, motor cars and forklift trucks
All lithium batteries count as dangerous goods, regulations for transporting them are quite complex and depend on the use and size of the batteries
The regulations for the transport of dangerous goods originate from the United Nations (UN).
The UN publish a general framework of rules every two years that apply to all modes of transport. Specialised committees then review the framework and adapt the regulations to their specific mode of transport.
Air, sea and road modes of transport each have their own regulators. They take the UN frameworks and apply them to their own situation.
For example, air transport regulators must consider the impact of lower air pressure on any dangerous good and regulate accordingly.
AIR REGULATORS — ICAO & IATA
For air transport, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) publishes the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air every two years. This is the legal document used by most countries around the world.
ICAO passes the Technical Instructions onto IATA — the International Air Transport Association, which is a trade association representing many of the world’s airlines.
IATA publishes similar regulations with a few further changes every year that take account of some additional restrictions.
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) are widely used around the world but are not legally binding and have no legal status.
IATA also publish a manual each year which details how to transport each dangerous good safely. We will come back to this later in the course
Dangerous goods by Sea transportation rules are set by the IMO and called the IMDG code
For the transport of dangerous goods by sea, the relevant regulations are the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code published by the International Maritime Organisation also known as the IMO.
These consist of two volumes plus a supplement, and new editions appear every two years.
Most countries worldwide use the IMDG code.
Road regulators — The United Nations
The rules for the transport of dangerous goods by road are referred to as ADR
ADR has been in force since 1968 and is administered by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. It’s updated every 2 years to take account of technological advances.
ADR does not have quite the worldwide coverage of the air and sea rules, but most countries in Europe are signatories, and all members of the European Union have adopted the ADR regulations.
There are currently around 50 signatories to the ADR agreement. Post-Brexit the expectations are that the UK will continue to apply the requirements of ADR.
Notice how each regulator updates rules every 2 years, coinciding with the UN’s general framework update.
If you have staff who need dangerous goods training please visit our online Dangerous Goods course page