Changes to code bring it in line with United Nations recommendations
A new-look Australian Dangerous Goods Code is in now in place, with a series of amendments imposing new obligations on industry and bringing Australia in line with requirements in place overseas.
The latest edition of the code has been updated to include recommendations from the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations.
The amendments include better clarification of the description of a dangerous good and the addition of new materials to the list of dangerous goods.
Furthermore, the code now mandates minimum sized markings on large packages of dangerous goods and provides clearer recommendations on how and where transport documents are kept on a vehicle transporting dangerous goods.
National Transport Commission (CEO) Paul Retter says the amendments better align Australia’s dangerous good 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,” he says.
Retter says the code is 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,” he says.
“This code will help people transporting dangerous goods comply with the laws that are designed to keep them from harm.”
Retter says it is important people read the code 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,” he says.