How to Comply With Dangerous Goods Transport Regulations

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Moving dangerous goods isn’t just logistics; it’s risk management under law. A wrong UN number, label or pack can mean refused loads, delays and even unlimited fines or imprisonment. UK operators must align GB CDG with ADR, IMDG, IATA and RID.

The safest route is a structured process: confirm duties, ensure competence and a DGSA, classify correctly, choose compliant packaging, use reliefs, then mark, label, document, segregate and secure—backed by security, emergency info and records.

This guide takes you step by step: confirm scope, secure training, classify and assign the UN number, choose compliant packaging, apply limited/excepted quantities, then mark and complete the documents. You’ll get mode‑specific essentials for road, sea, air and rail, guidance on lithium batteries, infectious substances, dry ice, and how to close with records and reporting.

Step 1. Confirm your role and whether the regulations apply

Confirm two things: your legal role and whether the consignment is in scope. If you act as consignor/shipper, packer/filler, loader, carrier or driver, the GB CDG dangerous goods transport regulations (aligning with ADR/RID) or the IMDG/IATA rules apply by mode. Assume full compliance unless a specific relief applies. Check that the substance or article is classed as dangerous goods with a UN number.

Step 2. Put competence in place: training and appointing a DGSA

Competence underpins compliance with dangerous goods transport regulations. Put structured, role‑specific training in place for everyone who classifies, packs, labels, documents, loads or drives. For air, use IATA/CAA‑approved training; for sea follow IMDG; for road and rail follow ADR/RID alongside GB CDG. Appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA), where required, to design procedures, coach staff, monitor compliance, and support incident investigation and reporting.

Step 3. Classify the goods and assign UN numbers, hazards and packing group

Classification is the legal foundation of dangerous goods transport regulations. Use the UN Model Regulations as implemented by ADR, IMDG and IATA to determine the correct entry. Your outcome must be a Proper Shipping Name, a UN number, the primary hazard class/division, any subsidiary risks, and (where applicable) a packing group that reflects the degree of danger.

  • Identify the substance/article: Confirm composition, form and properties; determine if it meets dangerous goods criteria.
  • Select the PSN and UN number: Choose the regulated name and number (for example, UN 1993 where appropriate).
  • Determine hazards: Assign the main class/division and any subsidiary risks per ADR/IMDG/IATA lists.
  • Assign packing group: I (high), II (medium) or III (low) where required.
  • Check special provisions: Note any modal variations and eligibility for limited/excepted quantities.
  • Record the rationale: Keep a traceable classification decision for audits and documentation.

Step 4. Plan the journey and select the regulatory framework (ADR, RID, IMDG, IATA)

Plan the whole journey, not just the collection and delivery. The framework you must follow is set by mode and the dangerous goods transport regulations it invokes: in Great Britain road and rail are under GB CDG aligned to ADR and RID; sea uses the IMDG Code; air uses ICAO/IATA DGR. For sea legs, submit the required dangerous goods notification. On multimodal moves, each leg must comply in its own right and the paperwork must be consistent across codes.

Step 5. Choose compliant packaging and containment systems

Packaging is where many consignments fall short. Once classified, select containment recognised by the codes. Under dangerous goods transport regulations (GB CDG aligned with ADR/RID, plus IMDG and IATA), use UN performance‑tested packagings, apply the correct packing instruction, ensure chemical compatibility, and only use certified IBCs, portable tanks or pressure receptacles where permitted. In Great Britain, packaging and IBC certification is administered by the VCA Dangerous Goods Office.

  • Follow the modal packing instruction: No substitutions or “near matches”.
  • Use UN‑marked packaging to the correct packing group.
  • Apply closures exactly as specified; retain closure/assembly instructions.
  • Use certified IBCs/tanks/pressure receptacles and verify current approvals.
  • Respect mixed‑packing limits and any quantity caps tied to reliefs.

Step 6. Use available reliefs: limited quantities, excepted quantities and small loads

Regulatory reliefs can simplify compliance and reduce cost—if you meet the exact conditions. Under ADR/RID, IMDG and IATA, limited quantities (LQ), excepted quantities (EQ) and ADR small‑load thresholds allow alternative packaging rules, specific marks and lighter vehicle or documentation controls. You’re still within dangerous goods transport regulations; misuse or miscalculation is non‑compliance.

  • Confirm eligibility: Check the listing allows LQ/EQ and any special provisions.
  • Do the maths: Apply inner/outer and per‑unit limits; verify small‑load totals.
  • Apply the right rules: Use the correct packing instruction, marks and documents by mode.

Step 7. Mark and label packages correctly

Marking and labelling turn your classification into clear safety signals on the pack. Apply what the dangerous goods transport regulations require for your mode—GB CDG/ADR, IMDG or IATA. Missing or wrong marks drive refusals and fines, so build a final check before you close the shipment.

  • UN number + Proper Shipping Name: Where required by the code.
  • Hazard labels: Primary class and any subsidiary risks.
  • Relief marks: Limited/Excepted Quantities; marine pollutant for sea.
  • Overpacks: Clearly identified; no required marks obscured.

Step 8. Prepare the right documentation and declarations

Documents prove compliance and brief those who move and respond to your load. Under dangerous goods transport regulations paperwork is mode‑specific, but every entry must mirror your marks and labels and stay consistent across multimodal legs. Include UN number, Proper Shipping Name, class, packing group and quantities.

  • Air: Shipper’s Declaration (IATA/ICAO) and an accurate air waybill note.
  • Sea: IMDG Dangerous Goods Declaration/DGN and any required port dangerous goods notification.
  • Road/rail: ADR/RID transport document plus ADR ‘Instructions in Writing’ for drivers.
  • Reliefs: Apply LQ/EQ/small‑load simplifications where allowed; keep eligibility evidence.

Step 9. Segregate, stow and secure the load; prepare vehicles and containers

Segregation, stowage and securing turn compliant paperwork into a safe journey. Under dangerous goods transport regulations (ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA), keep incompatibles apart, stow to prevent damage or leakage, and restrain against movement under normal transport conditions. Prepare vehicles and containers so exterior marks match contents and responders can trust what they see.

  • Follow modal segregation rules: Use the relevant code’s segregation charts.
  • Block, brace and restrain: No movement in normal conditions of carriage.
  • Inspect the unit: Clean, dry, intact; closures tight; no leaks or damage.
  • Apply placards/marks: Fit required exterior marks and ensure equipment/inspections are in date.

Step 10. Manage security and emergency preparedness

Security and emergency readiness are core to dangerous goods transport regulations. Identify any high‑consequence dangerous goods, implement a written security plan where required (ADR/GB CDG), control access and routeing, vet staff, brief crews, and ensure mode‑specific emergency information, equipment and a 24/7 contact are in place.

  • Written security plan: roles, access controls, routeing, incident reporting.
  • Emergency information: ADR Instructions in Writing; IMDG/IATA as applicable.
  • Equip the unit: PPE, spill kit, fire‑fighting gear as required.

Step 11. Handle special cases correctly (lithium batteries, infectious substances and dry ice)

These high‑profile items face strict, mode‑specific controls and frequent inspections. Treat them as a focused mini‑process within the dangerous goods transport regulations: re‑check classification, eligibility for the chosen mode, the exact packing instruction, and any additional marks, labels and statements before you release the load.

  • Lithium batteries: Classify by type/configuration; confirm mode eligibility; apply the specified packing instruction and marks; retain conformity evidence; do not ship damaged/defective units.
  • Infectious substances: Confirm the correct category and Proper Shipping Name; use the prescribed packaging system; document handling and decontamination arrangements as required by the mode.
  • Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid): Treat as a refrigerant under the codes; use packaging that allows venting and prevents CO2 build‑up; apply the required marking and any quantity statements per IATA/IMDG/ADR.

Step 12. Mode-specific compliance: road (ADR and GB CDG)

For road in Great Britain, apply ADR as implemented by the GB CDG Regulations. Meet duty‑holder responsibilities (consignor, packer, loader, carrier, driver) under the dangerous goods transport regulations, and ensure paperwork, vehicles and crews are ADR‑ready for every leg.

  • Documents and info: ADR transport document must match the consignment; carry ADR ‘Instructions in Writing’.
  • People and vehicles: Appropriate driver training/ADR certification; vehicle equipment and exterior marking/placarding as required.
  • Reliefs: Use LQ/EQ and ADR small‑load provisions only when eligible; otherwise apply full ADR.
  • Enforcement: Expect roadside checks; non‑compliance can lead to fixed penalties.

Step 13. Mode-specific compliance: sea (IMDG Code)

At sea, comply with the IMDG Code throughout. Before loading, submit any port or carrier dangerous goods notification, and complete the IMDG Dangerous Goods Declaration. Ensure package, overpack and container marks/labels match the DGN, apply marine pollutant marks where relevant, and follow IMDG stowage, segregation and documentation rules for each journey leg under the dangerous goods transport regulations.

Step 14. Mode-specific compliance: air (IATA/ICAO)

By air, comply with the ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Only specially trained staff may prepare, pack and sign the Shipper’s Declaration. Follow the exact packing instruction, quantity limits and marks/labels. Breaches of dangerous goods transport regulations, including undeclared hazmat, face UK enforcement with unlimited fines and up to 2 years’ imprisonment.

Step 15. Mode-specific compliance: rail (RID)

For rail, comply with RID as implemented by the GB CDG Regulations. Consignors, loaders and the railway undertaking each have duties under dangerous goods transport regulations. Documents must mirror the classification and stay consistent across any intermodal containers or swap bodies used on the journey.

  • Show UN number/Proper Shipping Name, class, packing group and quantities.
  • Mark/label packages; placard wagons/containers on required sides.
  • Use suitable wagons; segregate incompatibles; secure loads; apply security plans for high‑consequence goods.

Step 16. Keep records, report incidents and review performance

Compliance doesn’t end at dispatch. Under dangerous goods transport regulations you must keep evidence, report specified incidents and learn from them. Use a simple Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act cycle so records, investigations and DGSA oversight tighten controls across road, sea, air and rail.

  • Keep evidence: Retain training, classification, packaging approvals and transport docs for code‑set periods.
  • Report promptly: Notify accidents, leaks, fires and undeclared goods per ADR/IMDG/IATA and GB CDG.
  • Improve continuously: Log near‑misses, investigate causes, track corrective actions; have your DGSA review.

Key takeaways and next steps

Compliance is a repeatable process: know your role, train your people, classify accurately, choose compliant packaging, and apply the exact rules for each leg by road, rail, sea or air. Keep marks, labels and documents consistent, segregate and secure correctly, plan for security and emergencies, and close the loop with records and reviews.

  • Start with role clarity and competence: training and DGSA where required.
  • Let classification lead: it drives packaging, reliefs and limits.
  • Match everything up: marks, labels and documents must align.
  • Plan the journey: stowage, security and mode rules; audit and improve.

Ready to tighten compliance or upskill your team? Speak to the specialists at Logicom Hub for training, DGSA support and practical coaching.