Most goods consigned for carriage pose no danger to those involved in transporting them, or to members of the public or the environment. However, some goods are potentially hazardous and so the carriage of dangerous goods must comply with domestic and international legislation.

Safe carriage of dangerous goods

Any goods that pose a risk to people, property and the environment are classified as dangerous goods and are assigned to different classes ranging from 1 to 9. These types of goods can range from those which are highly dangerous (such as explosives, flammables and fuming acids) to everyday products such as paints, solvents and pesticides found in the home and at work. When transported these goods need to be packaged correctly as laid out in the various international and national regulations for each mode of transport to ensure that they are carried safely to minimise the risk of an incident.

• Department for Transport Advice to mariners, ports and port authorities following the accident at Fukushima in Japan, 4 April 2011
• Carriage of dangerous goods meetings and events calendar

Secure carriage of dangerous goods

Since July 2005, security regulations have been included in the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations and supersede the voluntary codes of practice that had been in place. Those security regulations are based upon the security provisions that have been developed since 2001 and subsequently included in the international agreements relating to the transport of dangerous goods. Accompanying explanatory guidance has replaced the road and rail codes of practice that were in place.

• Security of dangerous goods in transport
• Transport security and resilience

Carriage of dangerous goods by air transport

The transport of dangerous goods by air is regulated in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Technical Instructions (ICAO TI). On a day to day basis, airline operators will only accept dangerous goods complying with the International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods ‘Regulations’ (IATA DGR).

Packaging for dangerous goods

Since 1 April 2007, the VCA Dangerous Goods Office has been responsible for the certification of dangerous goods packaging within the UK.