1. For international movements i.e. shipments collected in the UK and delivered overseas in Europe one would follow the “The European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road” regulations (ADR).

2. For domestic movements i.e. shipments collected and delivered within the UK one would follow the UK regulations, a Statutory Instrument, “Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations” (CDG).  These regulations refer the user back to ADR in many places; however, the CDG does have some areas in which it differs from the ADR.

The international regulations governing the carriage of dangerous goods by road “ADR 2009” has been in print since November 2008, they have been available for use from 1^st January 2009.  The old ADR regulations “ADR 2007” may still be used until 30th June 2009 (as per 1.6.1.1 of ADR 2009).  As of 1^st July all items must be classified and carried according to ADR 2009.

The UK regulations “Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007” (CDG 2007) are also being updated.  The new domestic regulations (CDG 2009) will also be implemented as of the 1^st July.  The new Statutory Instrument is presently going through government and should be in print shortly.

Biocair have chosen to implement ADR 2009 from 8^st June 2009.    With this in mind, Biocair have produced a summary of the major changes which will affect their customers.

1. Dangerous Goods Packed in Excepted Quantities

It is now possible to move very small amounts of dangerous goods as Dangerous Goods Packed in Excepted Quantities (DGEQ) by UK road. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) “Dangerous Goods Regulations” have allowed DGEQ shipments to travel by air for many years (although they call their shipments “Dangerous Goods Permitted in Excepted Quantities!). The regulations regarding quantity of material, packing and labelling for DGEQ shipments have been harmonised between IATA and ADR.

·     All dangerous goods have been given E codes (these can be found in the dangerous goods list).   It is the E code that denotes if the material can travel as DGEQ and limits the amounts packed in inner and outer packaging.  

·     The packaging does have to be tested but not UN marked. 

·     The finished package has to be labelled with an Excepted Quantities Mark.

·     For ADR is that there is a restriction on the number of DGEQ packages onboard a vehicle (or container), this shall not exceed 1000 (see ADR 2009 chapter 3.5.5).

·     For ADR there is no documentation requirement however if docs do accompany the shipment they shall include the statement “Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities” and indicate the number of packages.

For more information see ADR 2009 chapter 3.5

2. Lithium Batteries.

The regulations regarding Lithium Batteries have become stricter.  This brings the ADR regulations in line with those of IATA.    As with IATA there are some exemptions which are useful, the exemptions have the same packaging and labelling requirements.  See ADR 2009, especially Special Provision 188 for more details.

3. Environmentally Hazardous Substances (EHS)

The classification criteria for these materials has changed, however, there is an allowance to transport the material as previously classified until 31st December 2010 (See ADR 2009 chapter 1.6.1.17).  There is now the requirement to label EHS with the new EHS “mark” as well as the class label.  EHS labels are not required for DGEQ or Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities (DGLQ) packages or if the material is in a single packing or combination packing containing inner packages with less than 5kg/l. 

4. Instructions in Writing

There is no longer the requirement to provide drivers with a TREM card; they now use the new format seen in ADR 2009 Chapter 5.4.3.4.  Biocair have issued all drivers with a copy of these forms.  They are also available to download from the Department for Transport’s website.  http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/165226/adr2009.pdf

5. Miscellaneous Emergency Equipment

Biocair’s Emergency Equipments (ADR kits) have been updated in line with the new “Instructions in Writing”.

6. Tunnel Restriction Codes

The use of Tunnel codes will be enforced in the UK.   ADR 2009 states that they should be in place by 1^st Jan 2010 (chapter 1.6.1.12).

ADR Tunnel Codes taken from DFTs website. http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/165226/460089/ADR_TunnelCodes.pdf

 The tunnel restriction codes will only affect shipments above load thresholds (manly applicable to tankers/bulk transport) but some packaged materials are affected.  The tunnel restriction code can be found in the Dangerous Goods List. See ADR 2009 Chapter 8.6 for more details.

7. Radioactive Materials

The information in ADR has not changed however the layout has!  There are no changes to classification, only changes in where to find the information.