Transportation Regulations & Guidance
What regulations are involved?
There are multiple different Transportation regulations worldwide, and which jurisdiction applies depends on where and how you are shipping your product. For North America the United States’ Department of Transportation (DOT) and Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation (TDG) are most applicable. However, if you are shipping your product in Europe, The Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) is more relevant. Regulations such as The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) must be abided depending on method of transportation rather than the country.
DOT came into existence in April of 1967 and governs the scope of transportation within the United States of America. TDG is applicable solely in Canada and covers road, rail, air and water transportation within this country. It came into enforcement on June 23, 1992 and is reviewed every ten years. ADR entered into force in January 1968 and governs international transport by road. IATA was created in Havana Cuba on April 19th 1945 and currently has 290 members in 120 countries globally. These regulations concern international inter-airline transportation services. IMDG handles multiple aspects of maritime transport safety and was initially introduced in 1965 as recommended legislation but became mandatory on January 1st 2004.
Which type of products would this regulation apply to?
Transportation regulations apply to all products that are considered physically hazardous, immediate hazards to human health, or hazardous the environment. Products which are not hazardous or not regulated by either GHS or country specific standards are not typically regulated by transportation standards. Articles are also not considered regulated for transportation, except in some specific cases, for example batteries.
Is this regulation mandatory?
Yes, these regulations are mandatory. If your product is regulated for transport, you must provide the applicable UN Number, Proper Shipping Name, Hazard Class and Packing Group corresponding to your product’s hazards. Transportation specific pictograms are also generally required on the package if the product is regulated.
What are the risks if a company chooses not to comply?
Failing to comply with transportation regulations puts transportation workers at risk and can increase the uncertainty in the case of an emergency. First responders use transportation information to assist in accidents and it is the responsibility of the importer or distributor shipping the product to supply the proper transportation information.
Sanctions for non-compliance vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may include monetary fines, as well as the suspension of licenses and business dealings.
How Can Nexreg Ensure Your Compliance?
Nexreg’s Safety Data Sheet authoring procedure includes transportation of dangerous goods services. Our SDSs automatically include hazmat information that aligns with the determined GHS classification using the chemical substance/mixture hazards. Or we can use transportation information that has been predetermined by our clients.
Consulting services are offered for expert transportation advice. Our consultants have Multi-Modal Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Classification Certification and we can provide guidance for land (road/rail), air and sea modes of transportation as well as international and country specific regulations.
We also assist with shipping label creation (ex. determining shipping exceptions) and restrictions (ex. limited quantity exemptions).
We’re Regulatory Experts
For quality compliance resources for companies of all sizes across the world.