New dangerous goods code released

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released the latest version of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, providing an updated technical resource designed to keep the transport industry and the public safe.

CEO of the NTC Paul Retter said the edition 7.3 of the code would be of particular interest to heavy-vehicle drivers, companies that use and transport dangerous goods and those who provide training on how to move dangerous goods safely.

“Everyone who uses Australia’s roads and other transport networks has a responsibility to keep themselves and the travelling public safe,” Retter said.

“This code will help people transporting dangerous goods comply with the laws that are designed to keep them from harm.”

Retter said it was very important that people reading the code read it in conjunction with the specific dangerous goods legislation that applies to their state or territory.

“While this is an incremental upgrade rather than a complete revision of the code, I encourage everyone involved in transporting dangerous goods to look at this new edition and the laws in their state and refresh their knowledge,” Retter said.

He said the code had been updated to reflect the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations (17th edition) and new amendments include:

• better clarifying the description of a dangerous good,
• adding new materials to the list of dangerous goods,
• requiring minimum sized markings on large packages of dangerous goods,
• providing clearer requirements on how and where transport documents are kept on a vehicle transporting dangerous goods,
• and many others.

He said the new amendments also better aligned Australia’s dangerous goods requirements with those in place overseas.

“This edition is good news for Australia’s importers and exporters as Australia’s dangerous goods requirements are now much more in line with those overseas. This cuts red tape and gives them much greater certainty,” Retter said.

“I would like to thank the transport industry, dangerous goods experts, safety experts and government authorities who provided their know-how to help us provide this useful technical resource.”

To download a copy of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code edition 7.3 visit http://www.ntc.gov.au/viewpage.aspx?documentid=1147.