Moving dangerous goods
A guide to the international regulations on the transportation of dangerous goods by air, sea, road, rail or inland waterway.
Introduction
If you transport dangerous goods by air, sea, road, rail or inland waterway, you must pack and transport them according to international regulations.
The UN Model Regulations put the rules on the different transportation methods into a classification system. This system assigns each dangerous substance or article a class that defines the type of danger the substance presents. The packing group (PG) then further classifies the level of danger according to PG I, PG II or PG III.
Together, class and PG dictate how you must package, label and carry dangerous goods, including inner and outer packaging, the suitability of packaging materials, and the marks and label they must bear.
Other regulations define the training and qualifications that dangerous goods drivers and safety advisors must hold, and when you must use one.
This guide brings together the various requirements for moving dangerous goods.
The classification of dangerous goods
The carriage of dangerous goods by road, rail, inland waterway, sea and air is regulated internationally by European agreements, directives and regulations, and parallel legislation in the UK.
If you’re involved in the processing, packing or transporting of dangerous goods, you will first need to classify them correctly so that all organisations in the supply chain, including the emergency authorities, know and understand exactly what the hazard is.
Dangerous goods are assigned to different classes depending on their predominant hazard. The UN classifies dangerous goods in the following classes and, where applicable, divisions:
| UN Class | Dangerous Goods | Division(s) if applicable | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | 1.1 - 1.6 | Explosive |
| 2 | Gases | 2.1 | Flammable gas |
| 2.2 | Non-flammable, non-toxic gas | ||
| 2.3 | Toxic gas | ||
| 3 | Flammable liquid | Flammable liquid | |
| 4 | Flammable solids | 4.1 | Flammable solid |
| 4.2 | Spontaneously combustible substance | ||
| 4.3 | Substance which emits flammable gas in contact with water | ||
| 5 | Oxidizers and organic peroxides | 5.1 | Oxidising substance |
| 5.2 | Organic peroxide | ||
| 6 | Toxic and infectious substances | 6.1 | Toxic substance |
| 6.2 | Infectious substance | ||
| 7 | Radioactive material | Radioactive material | |
| 8 | Corrosive substances | Corrosive substance | |
| 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous substances | Miscellaneous dangerous substances |
The consignor - the person or business shipping the goods - is responsible for classifying, marking and packaging the dangerous goods.
Dangerous goods safety advisers qualifications and training
Businesses that handle, process or transport dangerous goods on a regular basis must appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) in order to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
You don’t need to appoint a DGSA if:
- you transport smaller quantities of dangerous goods than those in the legislation
- you occasionally transport, load or unload dangerous goods, but it isn’t your main or secondary activities
The DGSA’s duties and responsibilities include:
- monitoring compliance with rules governing transport of dangerous goods
- advising their business on the transport of dangerous goods
- preparing an annual report to management on the business’ activities in the transport of dangerous goods
- monitoring procedures and safety measures
- investigating and compiling reports on any accidents or emergencies
- advising on the potential security aspects of transport
These regulations can apply to anyone who allows dangerous goods to be carried, not just the transport operator. This could include cargo consignors, freight forwarders, warehouse workers and manufacturers producing goods that will be collected from their factory.
Training
DGSAs must:
- obtain a vocational training certificate after receiving appropriate training
- pass a written examination
The Department for Transport (DfT) approves the mandatory DGSA exams. It has appointed the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) as its agent. SQA sets, marks and organises the exams, and issues the vocational training certificates for the whole of the UK, and the certificates are recognised in all European Union member states. Find out about the DGSA exams on the SQA website.
Training courses for DGSAs are run by independent providers and by the trade associations for each mode of transport. Course lengths vary from 2 to 5 days, depending on the modes of transport covered.
Regulations for transporting dangerous goods by air, sea, road and rail transport
International regulations govern the carriage of dangerous goods by road, rail, inland waterway, sea and air.
Report dangerous goods accidents to local authorities and DfT.
International carriage of dangerous goods by road
Regulation is via the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).
ADR sets out the requirements for the classification, packaging, labelling and certification of dangerous goods. It also includes specific vehicle and tank requirements and other operational requirements. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended) apply ADR in Great Britain - England, Wales and Scotland.
Read about carrying dangerous goods by road on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.
Carriage by rail
The carriage of dangerous goods by rail is governed by Appendix C of the Convention Covering International Carriage by Rail - International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended) apply in Great Britain.
Transport by inland waterway
In the European Union, the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Navigation (ADN) came into force on 28 February 2009. ADN only applies in the UK in relation to the training and examination system for safety advisers and the connected issuing and renewal of vocational training certificates. It does not apply to the carriage of dangerous goods by inland waterways in the UK given that there is no physical connection between them and European inland waterways.
Transport by sea
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code provides guidance on transporting dangerous goods by sea. Find information about the IMDG code on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) website.
The IMDG code is used by operators transporting dangerous goods on journeys involving a sea crossing. This includes ferry services. In the UK, the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutant) Regulations 1997 and the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 also apply. Read about dangerous goods on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) website.
Transport by air
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions are an internationally agreed set of provisions governing the requirements for transporting dangerous goods by air. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes the Dangerous Goods Regulations in accordance with the ICAO technical instructions.
You can find publications and more information on the carriage of dangerous goods by air on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website.
Dangerous goods training is a mandatory requirement for anyone involved in the transport of dangerous goods by air. You can read more about dangerous goods training on the CAA website.
Find out about dangerous goods and safety worldwide on the IATA website.
Some airlines and countries have their own derogations, known as State and Operator Variations. You should check in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for more information.
Documentation when moving dangerous goods
When dangerous goods are transported, the consignment must be accompanied by a transport document declaring the description and nature of the goods. Documentation must be in accordance with the specifications set by the dangerous goods regulations applicable to the chosen mode of transport.
View the multimodal dangerous goods form.
The transport document must be completed by the consignor (the person or firm from whom the goods have been received for transport). Legislation contains an example of a multimodal dangerous goods transport document and describes occasions when the document may not be required, for example for limited quantities.
To move air cargo that is classified as dangerous, a dedicated air transport document such as the IATA Shipper’s Declaration of Dangerous Goods must be used.
You can read about the requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods by air on the CAA website.
You can read about the movement of air cargo that is classified as dangerous or hazardous on the IATA website. You can also find Shipper’s Declaration forms on the IATA website.
Marking and labelling of dangerous goods - suppliers’ responsibilities
As well as the requirements specific to their transportation, suppliers of dangerous goods are required by law to label their hazardous products and packaged chemicals with hazard symbols, warnings and safety advice. A range of internationally recognised symbols has been developed so that people handling the goods know the nature of the hazard they present. For more information, download a guide to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations from the HSE website (PDF, 1.8MB).
Manufacturers must also include instructions for use, either on the label or on a leaflet supplied with the product. Suppliers must provide material safety data sheets for dangerous products used in the workplace.
For chemicals, the general principles of classification and labelling for supply are explained by the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 (the CHIP 4 rules). You can read about CHIP on the HSE website.
The European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation) will over a 5 year period commencing on 1 December 2010 gradually replace CHIP 4. You can find an overview of CLP and related legislation on the HSE website.
You can read a list of symbols, abbreviations, risk and safety phrases on the HSE website.
Safety labelling requirements may vary between third countries so you are advised to check requirements in destination countries before you move your goods. For example, the USA has different requirements from most European countries, so although dangerous goods from America can be moved with their labelling, it is likely that you will have to relabel them before you can supply them in the European Union.
Packaging of dangerous goods for transport
If you trade in dangerous goods, you must comply with packaging requirements contained in the relevant legislation in order to transport goods safely.
Packaging rules
Packaging (other than for limited and excepted quantities) has to be designed and constructed to UN specification standards and must pass practical transport related tests such as being dropped, held in a stack and subjected to pressure demands. It must also meet the needs of the substance it is to contain. Packagings must be certified by a national competent authority.
UN approved packaging is marked with the prefix ‘UN’ and followed by codes that are listed in the relevant regulations relating to the national and international carriage of dangerous goods by road, rail, air and sea.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) Dangerous Goods Office has responsibility for the certification of dangerous goods packaging within the UK. You can access the dangerous goods packaging approvals database on the VCA website.
Packaging must also bear the correct labels and markings appropriate for the substance and package.
Enforcement of dangerous goods regulations
Different authorities are responsible for enforcing the regulations for transport by road, air and sea.
Road
The HSE, the Office for Nuclear Regulation and DfT, in conjunction with the police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), are the enforcement authorites in respect of compliance with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended) covering road transport in Great Britain.
For international road movements, under the ADR European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, each national authority en route enforces its own requirements.
Air
The CAA is the agency responsible for matters related to compliance for goods offered to airlines for carriage by air.
The CAA currently receives around 600 dangerous goods incident reports a year. You can read about the process used for incidents relating to the carriage of dangerous goods on the CAA website.
Sea
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is the agency responsible for matters related to compliance for goods moving by sea.
Rail
The HSE, the Office of Rail Regulation, the Office for Nuclear Regulation and DfT are the enforcement authorities in respect of compliance with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended) covering rail transport in Great Britain.
Radiation screening at ports and airports
Programme Cyclamen forms a key part of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It involves the screening of incoming freight, vehicles, passengers and pedestrians to detect and deter the illicit importation of radioactive and nuclear material by terrorists or criminals.
The programme is jointly managed by the Home Office and UK Borders Agency (UKBA). The Home Office has the lead responsibility for implementing the programme at ports and airports whilst UKBA is responsible for operating the equipment and for the initial detection of any imported radiological or nuclear material.
Countries including Finland, Russia and the USA use similar equipment and procedures.
How screening operates
Fixed radiation detection equipment has been installed at ports and airports. There is also mobile capability supporting the fixed portals ensuring that air, sea and Channel Tunnel traffic entering the UK is subject to screening.
The equipment is entirely passive and is able to detect radiation emitted from the vehicle or object being examined. The equipment doesn’t emit radiation and there is no effect on any object or person passing through the detection system.
If an illicit source is suspected or found, specialist authorities will ensure that these incidents are dealt with quickly and safely, minimising the risk and inconvenience to the public.
Sources of radiation
Some radioactive material may be carried legally by approved operators, whilst some foodstuffs, ceramics, and other items naturally emit radiation. In addition, a number of medical treatments emit radiation.
The screening equipment can identify a wide variety of radioactive sources and action is taken to ensure that legitimate importations can pass through quickly.
Further information
UNECE
+41 22 917 12 34
IATA Dangerous Goods Hotline
+1 514 390 6770
MCA Headquarters
023 8032 9100
SQA Customer Contact Centre
0845 279 1000
IMO
020 7735 7611
VCA Dangerous Goods Office
01372 226 110
DfT Enquiry Helpdesk
0300 330 3000
CAA
01293 573 800