Does the size of the package matter when determining if the regulations will
apply?
In general the size of the package is only a factor if the product it contains
has a Limited Quantity or Excepted Quantity provision. Depending
upon the mode of transport this can
be
found as follows;
Road transport:
For Limited Quantities look under column 7a of the dangerous goods list in
ADR Volume I, Chapter 3.2. This will contain the maximum quantity allowed
in the inner receptacle. Providing the package then also meets the requirements
of Chapter 3.4 it can be
transported without having
to conform to the rest of ADR.
ADR 2009 introduced the concept of Excepted
Quantities (column 7b in the dangerous goods list) which in harmony with
the air mode exempts packages from the regulations (ADR) if certain provisions
listed
in Chapter 3.5 of ADR are
fulfilled.
Air freight:
Air freight has two sets of qualifying
criteria, the first, known as Excepted Quantities must meet the requirements
of Section
2.7 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. If these requirements are met
most of the regulations, with the exception of those provisions listed in Section
2.7.0 General, do not have to be complied with. The second criteria is known
as Limited Quantities, if you look under column "H" of the dangerous
goods list in Section 4 "Identification" of the regulations a quantity
limit figure will indicate if the provisions apply, (if there is no figure
in the column
the
provisions do not apply) Providing the Packing Instruction in Section 5 refererred
to in column G and the additional provisions of Chapter 5.0.3 are met then
the normal marking and package testing requiremnts do not apply. N.B see Section
7.1.5.3 for the marking requirements for Limited Quantities.
Sea Freight:
Look under column 7 of the Dangerous Goods List in Chapter 3.2 of the IMDG
code. This will show a the maximum quantity allowed in the inner receptacle.
If the package does not exceed this figure the "Limited Quantity" provisions
will apply. The provisions are listed in Chapter 3.4.
Rail:
Look under column 7 of the dangerous goods list in RID, Chapter
3.2. This will contain an the maximum quantity allowed in the inner receptacle.
Providing the package then meets
the requirements of Chapter 3.4 it can be transported without having to conform
to the rest of RID.
As always there are some exceptions to the rule, if in doubt contact us.
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