THE NEW Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7th Edition (ADG7) is now available for purchase in a two volume hard copy package or in electronic CD-ROM format.
Following unanimous approval by Transport Ministers in March 2007, the ADG7 regulations are now scheduled for implementation in 2008.
The 6th edition of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG6) will continue to apply as an alternative to ADG7 for a transition period to be agreed by governments.
ADG7 is structured very differently from its predecessor, which was published in 1998. The newest edition aligns with international requirements for the import and export of dangerous goods (the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods).
Australia’s intermodal freight operators will also get a single set of dangerous goods regulations for the first time covering both road and rail transport.
Key features of ADG7 include:
• minimum insurance coverage of $5 million for each placarded trailer, which accommodates trailers in vehicle combinations owned and insured by different companies;
• license exemption for certain herbicides and pesticides transported in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) up to 3,000 kg/l in total;
• stronger chain of responsibility provisions; including specific duties on consignors to prevent the movement of goods too dangerous to be transported;
• emergency information panels on IBCs and all placard loads are still required to ensure easy incident response identification;
• concessions for small quantities of dangerous goods transported solely for personal use, or by trades people in the course of their business;
• concessions for small quantities of dangerous goods in mixed retail distribution loads; and
• technical updates from UN15 recently ratified by the UN.
Volume 2 includes an Information Guide to assist users in finding their way around the new Code. It should be particularly useful for those who are familiar with the 6th edition and need to find corresponding provisions in the 7th edition.
To view a copy of the ADG7 Table of Contents and for more information visit http://www.ntc.gov.au or email ntc@ntc.gov.au.