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 are 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 below –
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).
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.
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. Packaging 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 the Department for Transport, in conjunction with the police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), 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 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.
Enforcement of carriage of dangerous goods
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 does not 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.
Source – Department for Transport
