Origin of Transport Regulations

The first edition of Transport Regulations was published in 1956 titled “Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods”. Over the years it evolved with regular amendments and Revision 19 edition is the latest one published in the year 2015.

UN Model Regulations has two parts, Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Manual of Tests and Criteria.

Implementation of Transport Regulations

The Orange Book, (color of book is Orange) “Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations” of United Nations is implemented through other UN Bodies and National Governments into Modal Regulations such as – IMO – International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), ICAO – Technical Instructions for The Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (TI) , ECE – European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN 2015), ECE – European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR 2015), Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF), Appendix C–Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID). Some countries have adopted UN Model Regulations into their national jurisdiction such as U.S.A – 49 CFR Parts 100 to 185, Canada – TDG, Australia – ADG et cetera.

Current Transport regulations in force are aligned with 18^th revision of UN Model Regulations

Origin of GHS

The origin of Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is from Rio Conference of in 1992 by coordinated work with International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), various governments and other stakeholders to align and harmonize the criteria for classification and standard for labelling of dangerous goods and hazardous substances.

1^st edition of GHS (Purple Book), was published in 2005, the latest edition is Revision 5 published in the year 2013.

Harmonization & Differences

Transport regulations are harmonized with GHS standard for classification of dangerous goods. Latest Transport Regulations such as ADR 2015 & IMDG Code 2014 is aligned with GHS Revision 5 published in the year 2013.

Transport Regulations Classifies Dangerous Goods into 9 Classes and Environmentally hazardous substances. Some of these classes are subdivided into divisions. GHS identifies substances, material sand articles into three groups, Physical Hazard, Health Hazard and Environmental Hazards.

GHS & Transport Classification Criteria

Hazards – Not covered by GHS

Following Hazards are not covered by GHS

1. Infectious Substances;
2. Radioactive Materials;
3. Other dangerous substances (such as: elevated temperature substances, genetically modified microorganism, lithium batteries, etc.).

Hazards – Not covered by Transport Regulations

Following Hazards are not covered by Transport Regulations

1. Eye damage/eye irritation
2. Respiratory or skin sensitization,
3. Germ cell mutagenicity
4. Carcinogenicity
5. Reproductive toxicity
6. Hazardous to the ozone layer

Communication in Transport Regulations & GHS

Have you aligned your SDS, Pictograms & Labels with Latest GHS & Transport Regulations?