The safe transport of dangerous goods is an unavoidable and complex reality that requires strict compliance with regulations and meticulous handling. In this comprehensive guide, we explore what dangerous goods actually are and how they are classified under international frameworks such as ADR, IMDG, and ICAO-TI/IATA DGR. From explosives to corrosives, we walk you through the nine hazard classes and their subdivisions to give you a deeper understanding.
What Are Dangerous Goods?
Dangerous goods are substances or articles which, due to their chemical or physical properties, may pose a risk to life, health, the environment, or property during transport. When handled correctly, these goods are no more dangerous than unclassified items – which is why proper handling is so crucial during transportation.
To be considered dangerous goods, the substance or article must meet the classification criteria set out in transport regulations such as ADR (road), IMDG (sea), ICAO-TI/IATA DGR (air), or RID (rail).
Regulations Governing the Transport of Dangerous Goods
ADR
ADR stands for Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par route, the European agreement concerning the international transport of dangerous goods by road.
ADR applies to transport between EU and EEA member states as well as other contracting countries.
ADN
ADN is the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways. Its aim is to ensure a high level of safety, prevent pollution from accidents, and facilitate trade.
IMDG Code
The IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) is the global standard for shipping dangerous goods by sea. It covers general provisions, training, and classification requirements for maritime transport.
RID
RID stands for Règlement concernant le transport international ferroviaire de marchandises Dangereuses, the international regulations for rail transport of dangerous goods.
ICAO-TI and IATA DGR
ICAO-TI refers to the International Civil Aviation Organization – Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. These rules are binding for all countries that have ratified the Chicago Convention on international civil aviation.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also developed supplementary rules known as the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), which are based on ICAO-TI and used by airlines worldwide.
Why Are These Regulations Necessary?
Transporting dangerous goods involves significant risks, which can vary across the journey. To minimise these risks, regulations have been developed. Despite this, incidents and accidents still occur, often due to negligence or disregard for the rules.
Vehicles carrying dangerous goods over threshold quantities must be marked with orange hazard plates. Some operators try to avoid inspections by not displaying proper signage, which can severely hinder emergency response in case of an accident. Authorities are therefore also checking unmarked vehicles.
How Do You Know If a Substance Is Classified as Dangerous Goods?
The easiest way is to check section 14: Transportation Information of the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS). If a UN number is listed in subsection 14.1, the substance is classified as dangerous goods. A UN number is a four-digit code assigned by the United Nations and used across all modes of transport.
UN numbers can also be found on orange placards used on vehicles transporting bulk or tanked dangerous goods, as well as on containers.
Common examples include:
- UN 1203 – petrol
- UN 1202 – diesel
- UN 1170 – ethanol
Section 14 of the SDS also includes hazard classes and packing groups:
- Packing Group I – high danger
- Packing Group II – medium danger
- Packing Group III – low danger
Ibland kan det stå omfattas inte av transportförordningen i ämnets eller produktens SDB, och då ser ni tydligt vad som gäller.
CLP Labelling vs. Dangerous Goods Classification
A product that is labelled under CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation) is not automatically considered dangerous goods for transport. However, CLP-labelled products should be reviewed carefully to ensure full compliance with all relevant transport regulations.
The 9 Hazard Classes
Dangerous goods are categorised into nine classes, some with subdivisions. A substance may belong to multiple classes and have secondary classifications. For example, oxygen is classified as Class 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gas and Class 5.1: Oxidising substance.
Class 1: Explosives
Ammunition, firework and dynamite are examples of substances and items that would be categorized in this class.
Class 2: Gases
This classification has three subdivisions:
2.1 – Flammable gases (e.g. methane, LPG)
2.2 – Non-flammable, non-toxic gases (e.g. oxygen, nitrogen)
2.3 – Toxic gases (e.g. chlorine)
Class 3: Flammable liquids
In this class you have for example petrol, paint and alcohols.
Class 4: Flammable solids
Class 4 has three subdivisions:
4.1 – Flammable solids, self-reactive substances (e.g. matches)
4.2 – Substances liable to spontaneous combustion (e.g. fishmeal)
4.3 – Substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water (e.g. lithium)
Class 5: Oxidising substances and organic peroxides
Class 5 has two subdivisions:
5.1 – Oxidising Substances
Substances in this class support combustion and can intensify fires. Examples include hydrogen peroxide and ammonium nitrate.
5.2 – Organic Peroxides
This class includes both solid and liquid substances that must not be mixed with other materials, as they can trigger violent chemical reactions and explosive fires. Hardeners for plastic padding are one example.
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
Class 6 has two subdivisions:
6.1 – Toxic Substances
This includes substances such as various pesticides, certain potent pharmaceuticals, and asbestos.
6.2 – Infectious Substances
These are materials known to contain pathogens. A specific classification within this group is UN3373: Biological Substance. This may apply to, for example, blood samples known to contain infectious diseases or other bacteria.
Class 7: Radioactive materials
This class includes, for example, various isotopes used in medical applications and uranium.
Class 8: Corrosives
Various acids and alkalis can fall under this classification. Examples include drain cleaners classified as corrosive, or car batteries that contain acid.
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
When a substance or article does not fit into any other class, it is assigned to Class 9. Examples include life-saving equipment, lithium batteries, and vehicles.
Internal Transport of Dangerous Goods
There are several exemptions in ADR for internal transport. However, moving goods for internal storage does not count as exempt and is still subject to full ADR rules. Exemptions often depend on the purpose rather than the quantity, though quantity limits still apply.
For example, if you need to bring a gas cylinder for welding at a customer site, you may be allowed to carry it in your work vehicle – but you must consult the ADR tables to ensure the quantity falls within the exemption limits. Unfortunately, misuse of these exemptions is common and poses a risk to both human health and the environment.
What Happens If You Don’t Follow the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations?
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are the supervisory authority for road transport and primarily inspect the carrier, but the consignor can also be fined if they are at fault. Compliance is therefore a shared responsibility. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) supervises sea transport and related areas.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the regulatory authority for railway transport while the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for ensuring that dangerous goods are transported safely by air.
Penalties depend on whether non-compliance was intentional or due to negligence. Offenders may face fines or even up to one year in prison.
Who Is Responsible When Transporting Dangerous Goods?
Everyone involved in the supply chain of dangerous goods has responsibilities and must be trained in accordance with the applicable regulations.
As a consignor for example, you are responsible for ensuring the goods are correctly classified and authorised for transport. You must also determine the correct UN number.
Responsibilities of the Consignor
A consignor is a company that dispatches dangerous goods, either on its own behalf or on behalf of others. If the transport is carried out under a contract of carriage, the consignor is defined as the party identified as such in that contract.
Key responsibilities:
- Ensure the dangerous goods are correctly classified and authorised for transport under ADR.
- Provide the carrier with the transport document and all other relevant information.
- Ensure staff are appropriately trained.
- Use approved packaging, and ensure all goods are correctly labelled and marked.
Responsibilities of the Consignee
Consignee under ADR/RID:
A consignee is the company receiving the dangerous goods, or the party listed as the recipient in the transport contract.
Key responsibilities:
- Ensure staff are appropriately trained.
- Accept the goods without undue delay unless there is a justified reason for refusal.
- After unloading, verify compliance with the ADR provisions relevant to the consignee.
- If, in the case of containers, any non-compliance is detected, the container must not be returned to the carrier until the issue has been rectified.
Responsibilities of the Loader
Loader under ADR/RID:
This refers to a company that:
- Loads packaged dangerous goods, small containers, or UN tanks onto or into a vehicle or container, or
- Loads a container, bulk container, MEG-container, tank-container or UN tank onto a vehicle.
Key responsibilities:
- Only hand over dangerous goods that are permitted for transport under ADR.
- Check the integrity of packaging before handing over packaged dangerous goods or uncleaned empty packaging. If a package is damaged—particularly if it is leaking—it must not be passed to the carrier until repaired. The same applies to uncleaned empty packaging.
- Comply with all applicable loading and handling requirements.
- After loading into a container, ensure correct placarding, labelling, and use of orange plates as specified in Chapter 5.3.
- Consider any loading restrictions (e.g., segregation from other dangerous goods already on board, or separation from foodstuffs, animal feed, and other consumer products).
Responsibilities of the Unloader
Unloader under ADR/RID:
This refers to a company that unloads or removes packaged dangerous goods, small containers, or UN tanks from a vehicle, or unloads dangerous goods from a tank.
Key responsibilities:
- Ensure the correct goods are being unloaded by comparing the transport documentation with the labels on packages, containers, tanks, MEMUs, MEG-containers or vehicles.
- Before and during unloading, check for damage to packaging, tanks, containers or vehicles that may compromise the unloading process. Unloading must not begin until any such issues have been resolved.
- Comply with applicable unloading and handling requirements.
- After unloading, remove any dangerous residues adhering to the outside of tanks, containers, or vehicles and ensure all valves and inspection openings are closed.
- Ensure that any required cleaning and decontamination of the vehicle or container is carried out.
- Remove placards, labels, and orange plates in accordance with Chapter 5.3 when containers have been fully unloaded, cleaned, and decontaminated.
Responsibilities of the Carrier
Carrier under ADR/RID:
A carrier is a company that undertakes the transport of dangerous goods, with or without a contract of carriage.
Key responsibilities:
- Ensure staff are properly trained.
- Verify that the dangerous goods are permitted for transport under ADR.
- Ensure that the required documentation is handed over to the driver.
- Check that vehicles are roadworthy and not overloaded.
- Ensure that placards, markings, and orange plates required under Chapter 5.3 are correctly affixed.
- Ensure that all equipment required under ADR for the transport unit, vehicle crew, and specific hazard classes is present and functional on board.
What Is a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) and What Do They Do?
A DGSA’s primary role is to help prevent accidents and harm associated with the transport of dangerous goods.
Their tasks include:
- Ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations
- Establishing safe procedures for handling and transport
- Preparing annual reports and incident/accident reports related to dangerous goods
It’s important to note that the DGSA is not ultimately responsible for compliance—that responsibility lies with the company’s management.
Any business involved in the transport of dangerous goods—whether carrying it themselves or handing it over to a carrier—must appoint one or more DGSAs.
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Common Mistakes Around the Transport of Dangerous Goods
There are several recurring issues that companies face when transporting dangerous goods. Often, the organisation may have procedures in place, but the staff are unaware of them or unclear on how to follow them. In some cases, procedures are missing altogether, making compliance even more difficult.
To avoid these issues:
- Develop clear, documented procedures
- Ensure staff receive thorough training and understand how to implement those procedures
- Make sure both management and staff are educated on their responsibilities to create a strong compliance culture
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