Category: Announcements

General announcements

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2021 IATA DGR CHANGES

This is my favorite time of the year. No, it is not the cooler temperatures, the changing of the leaves or even the pumpkin spice… well, everything. It is my favorite new of the year due to all of the new dangerous goods regulations. Nothing beats opening the cover of a new set of regulations! And this year, we have the annual release IATA and the 49 CFR but we also have the IMDG, ICAO and more as well.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will be releasing the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) in October. The IATA manual is used by shippers who transport dangerous goods by air. The IATA will become effective January 1, 2021.

Highlights of the IATA changes are:

  • List of Dangerous Goods updates and additions as well as special provision changes
  • Corrosives have revised packing group criteria
  • 26 Packing Instructions have been revised and one has been renumbered to align with the UN.
  • Size for UN specification markings on packagings has been clarified
  • Revision to the filling capacity of metal aerosols
  • Clarification to the height of the identification numbers markings on packages
  • Documentation of multiple overpacks on the Shipper’s Declaration has been revised
  • Competency-based approach to training
  • Lithium battery updates – revisions to Special Provisions, Packing Instructions, as well as the lithium battery handling mark has occurred

See IATA’s summary of significant changes here.

It is important to keep up with the changing regulations. If you don’t delays and frustrated shipments can occur.

In the next several weeks leading up to 2021, we will cover specific changes to the dangerous goods regulations.

Stay safe!

Christine Holloway-Clare is the Vice President of Safety Specialists, Inc. She has been assisting customers comply with the hazardous materials regulations for over 20 years.

Safety Specialists, Inc. offers a wide range of hazardous materials transportation training and consulting options. Online training is available. Monthly online classes for DOT, IATA and IMDG available. Join one today.

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Changes in the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook

The 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook has been updated from the 2016 edition.

Here are the highlights.

  • The guidebook has been revised to make it easier to read and understand.
  • How to use the Orange Guides has been added to the ERG. A copy of this How to Use the Orange Guide is here.
  • 34 materials have been moved to different Orange Guides upon review of the chemical properties of the material
    Those identification numbers with new Orange Guides are: UN1006, UN1046, UN1056, UN1065, UN1066, UN1112, UN1199, UN1450, UN1494, UN1500, UN1649, UN1802, UN1848, UN1865, UN1872, UN1928, UN1990, UN1994, UN2036, UN2209, UN2211, UN2381, UN2438, UN2721, UN2806, UN2983, UN3084, UN3093, UN3257, UN3304, UN3308, UN3379, UN3380, and UN3463.
  • Caution sentences were added for specific compounds, such as liquified natural gas (LNG), ethanol, methanol, flammable aerosols, etc.
  • In the Orange Guide, highlighted and non-highlighted materials are identified in the guides to make them easier to understand. See below

Here is a summary of the changes you will find in the 2020 that PHMSA issued and you can download the 2020 ERG here.

If you have questions on shipping hazardous materials, please reach out to Safety Specialists and we would be happy to assist you.

Stay safe,

Christine Holloway-Clare is the Vice President of Safety Specialists, Inc. She has been assisting customers comply with the hazardous materials regulations for over 20 years.

Safety Specialists, Inc. offers a wide range of hazardous materials transportation training and consulting options. Online training is available. Monthly online classes for DOT, IATA and IMDG available. Join one today.

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USPS Proposed Changes for HazMat

On August 3rd, The Postal Service proposes to amend Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52), to incorporate requirements for mailers to separate all air-eligible hazardous material (hazmat) from surface only transportation hazmat shipments and other non-hazmat items when tendering mail to the Postal Service in the domestic mail.  Additionally, the Postal Service for consistency will incorporate the current standard operating procedures for separation as it pertains to acceptance and dispatch personnel. Comments are due on or before September 2, 2020. Read the full details of the proposed changes and comment procedures here.

On August 6th, The Postal Service proposed to amend the Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (PUB 52) to provide unique electronic indicators and to standardize the Extra Services options for shipments of hazardous materials and perishable items. Comments are due on or before September 8, 2020. Read the full details of the proposed changes and comment procedures here.  

If you have any questions regarding hazardous materials transportation, please reach out to us!

Christine Holloway-Clare is the Vice President of Safety Specialists, Inc. She has been assisting customers comply with the hazardous materials regulations for over 20 years.

Safety Specialists, Inc. offers a wide range of hazardous materials transportation training and consulting options. Online training is available. Monthly online classes for DOT, IATA and IMDG available. Join one today.