The Department for Transport has taken further measures to support the UK Dangerous Goods supply chain. These measures are intended to lighten some of the burdens that the industry faces during the continuing Corona virus crisis.
Yesterday, the DfT released the following updates:
- TWO FURTHER MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS on extending the periodic inspection and test expiry date for pressure receptacles and closed cryogenic receptacles carrying certain Class 2 gases.
The UK has already countersigned a multilateral agreement with other ADR States, extending the validity of all existing ADR Driver Training and Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) certificates due to expire between 1 March 2020 and 1 November 2020, until 30 November 2020. The UK has also countersigned a multilateral agreement which mirrors this extension for rail DGSA certificates.
Both multilateral agreements have now been published online: Multilateral Agreement M324: Extension of ADR Driver Training and DGSA certificates. Multilateral Special Agreement RID 1/2020: Extension of DGSA certificates. Copies of all RID/ADR multilateral agreements and further information may be found online via the UN and OTIF websites: UNECE – Multilateral Agreements | OTIF – Latest Documents.
Yesterday, the UK countersigned two further multilateral agreements on extending the periodic inspection and test expiry date for pressure receptacles and closed cryogenic receptacles carrying certain class 2 gases:
Multilateral Agreement M326: For the Road mode.
Multilateral Special Agreement RID 3/2020: For the Rail mode.
- A NEW AUTHORISATION which provides a temporary exemption from the ADR vehicle certification test for EX, FL and AT vehicles and MEMUs.
The DfT has granted a new authorisation which provides a temporary exemption from the ADR vehicle certification test for EX, FL and AT vehicles and MEMUs. This authorisation has been published online: Authorisation number 945: annual inspection waiver.
- A NEW AUTHORISATION which permits newly qualified or requalified ADR Drivers to be able to carry dangerous goods loads without being in physical possession of their ADR licence.
The DfT has granted a new authorisation which permits newly qualified or requalified ADR Drivers to be able to carry dangerous goods loads without being in physical possession of their ADR licence. This is because at the current time SQA are unable to produce them. Such drivers must instead be in possession of Authorisation number 946 which can be obtained directly from the SQA upon passing the ADR driver examination. Drivers already in possession of a valid ADR licence must continue to carry it when transporting dangerous goods.
- GUIDANCE TO SUPPORT LABORATORIES AND HOSPITALS to comply with packaging and transport requirements of patient specimens suspected of containing COVID-19.
The DfT has issued guidance to support laboratories and hospitals to comply with packaging and transport requirements of patient specimens suspected of containing COVID-19. This guidance has been published online: Packaging and transport requirements for patient samples – UN3373.