UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Encyclopedia
The UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods are contained in two documents prepared by the Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods of the United Nations Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC). They cover the transport of dangerous goods
by all modes of transport except by bulk tanker
. They are not obligatory or legally binding on individual countries, but have gained a wide degree of international acceptance: they form the basis of several international agreements and many national laws.
"Dangerous goods" (also known as "hazardous materials" or "HAZMAT" in the United States) may be pure chemical substance
(for example, trinitrotoluene (TNT), nitroglycerin), mixtures (for example, dynamite
, gunpowder
) or manufactured articles (for example, ammunition
, fireworks). The transport hazards that they pose are grouped into nine classes, which may be subdivided into divisions and/or packing groups. The most common dangerous goods are assigned a UN number
, a four digit code which identifies it internationally: less common substances are transported under generic codes such as "UN1993: flammable liquid, not otherwise specified".
The UN Recommendations do not cover the manufacture, use or disposal of dangerous goods.
The container requirements include some material and construction requirements but also performance testing
is required. The package testing
is based on the packing group (hazard level) of the contents, the quantity of material, and the type of container.
The UN recommendations are implemented by regulatory bodies in each country: Transport Canada
, United States Department of Transportation
, etc. Some carriers have additional requirements.
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
(ECOSOC). They cover the transport of dangerous goods
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. They are often subject to chemical regulations. "HazMat teams" are personnel specially trained to handle dangerous goods...
by all modes of transport except by bulk tanker
Tanker (ship)
A tanker is a ship designed to transport liquids in bulk. Major types of tankship include the oil tanker, the chemical tanker, and the liquefied natural gas carrier.-Background:...
. They are not obligatory or legally binding on individual countries, but have gained a wide degree of international acceptance: they form the basis of several international agreements and many national laws.
"Dangerous goods" (also known as "hazardous materials" or "HAZMAT" in the United States) may be pure chemical substance
Chemical substance
In chemistry, a chemical substance is a form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. It cannot be separated into components by physical separation methods, i.e. without breaking chemical bonds. They can be solids, liquids or gases.Chemical substances are...
(for example, trinitrotoluene (TNT), nitroglycerin), mixtures (for example, dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
, gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
) or manufactured articles (for example, ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
, fireworks). The transport hazards that they pose are grouped into nine classes, which may be subdivided into divisions and/or packing groups. The most common dangerous goods are assigned a UN number
UN number
UN numbers or UN IDs are four-digit numbers that identify hazardous substances, and articles in the framework of international transport....
, a four digit code which identifies it internationally: less common substances are transported under generic codes such as "UN1993: flammable liquid, not otherwise specified".
The UN Recommendations do not cover the manufacture, use or disposal of dangerous goods.
History and principles
The first version of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods was produced by the ECOSOC in 1956. From 1996, the Recommendations were effectively split into two parts: the Model Regulations, which form a suggested drafting for laws and regulations on the transport of dangerous goods; and the Manual of Tests and Criteria, which contains technical information about methods of testing products to ascertain their hazards. The 15th edition of the Recommendations was published in 2007.The container requirements include some material and construction requirements but also performance testing
Performance testing
In software engineering, performance testing is in general testing performed to determine how a system performs in terms of responsiveness and stability under a particular workload...
is required. The package testing
Package testing
Package testing or packaging testing involves the measurement of a characteristic or property involved with packaging. This includes packaging materials, packaging components, primary packages, shipping containers, and unit loads, as well as the associated processes.Testing measures the effects...
is based on the packing group (hazard level) of the contents, the quantity of material, and the type of container.
The UN recommendations are implemented by regulatory bodies in each country: Transport Canada
Transport Canada
Transport Canada is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio...
, United States Department of Transportation
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967...
, etc. Some carriers have additional requirements.
See also
- Australian Dangerous Goods CodeAustralian Dangerous Goods CodeThe Australian Dangerous Goods Code is promulgated by The Advisory Committee on Transport of Dangerous Goods. The most current version is the seventh edition, released in 2008. These documents create a significant level of standardisation for the transportation of dangerous goods in Australia...
- UNO Hazard Class and Division
- European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by RoadEuropean Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by RoadThe European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, commonly known as ADR , governs transnational transport of hazardous materials.Launched in Geneva on 30 September 1957 under the aegis of the United...
("ADR") - Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail ("RID", part of the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail)
- European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways ("ADN")
- International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code ("IMDG Code", part of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at SeaInternational Convention for the Safety of Life at SeaThe International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea is an international maritime safety treaty. The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships.- History :The first version of the...
) - Annex 18 of the Convention on International Civil AviationConvention on International Civil AviationThe Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, established the International Civil Aviation Organization , a specialized agency of the United Nations charged with coordinating and regulating international air travel...
("Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air") - International Air Transport AssociationInternational Air Transport AssociationThe International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization is also headquartered. The executive offices are at the Geneva Airport in SwitzerlandIATA's mission is to...
External links
- Dangerous Goods at the United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeThe United Nations Economic Commission for Europe was established in 1947 to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. It is one of five regional commissions under the administrative direction of United Nations headquarters. It has 56 member states, and reports to the UN Economic and...