Transport of dangerous goods

--- CONTENT ---
The transport of dangerous goods (DGT) may be carried out by road, rail, sea, river or air. It is governed by international agreements but also by national specificities which lay down the rules. "Goods" means materials (chemicals, fuel, paints, acids) as well as materials (munitions, airbags, fire extinguishers, lithium batteries).

Pipeline transport is not part of the TDG in the regulatory sense even if hazardous materials (hydrocarbons, chemicals...) are transported by this means.

History
Hazardous products such as flammable, explosive or toxic substances (mercury, lead, arsenic) have been transported since ancient times (land and marine). With the industrial revolution, the number, flow and danger of certain products increased considerably and air transport was added to other modes of transport, which involved the introduction of legislation and control (including traceability).

In the early 1990s, reliable statistics on these flows were not available. Modelling has been done.

Transport of dangerous goods by land
The transport of dangerous goods by land includes road, rail and river transport.

Regulation in France

The "TDG Order" regulates the carriage of dangerous goods by land within the national territory. The latter is amended regularly following the work of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (CITMD).

This Order shall consist of 27 articles applicable, except as otherwise provided, to all modes of transport covered by the Order and Annexes I, II, III and IV as described below:
Annex I contains Annexes A and B to ADR as well as other provisions specific to the carriage by road of dangerous goods;
Annex II contains the Annex to RID and the other specific provisions for the carriage of dangerous goods by rail;
Annex III contains the Regulations annexed to ADN and the specific provisions for the carriage by inland waterways of dangerous goods;
Annex IV lists all the Appendices IV.1 to IV.9 referred to in the Articles of the Order and its Annexes.

Thus, international regulations are an integral part of national regulations.

An aid protocol exists and is called TRANSAID. It has been contracted between chemical manufacturers and the Directorate-General for Civil Security and Crisis Management (DGSCGC). This protocol is triggered in incidents or accidents involving hazardous materials. Industry partners identified and referenced can provide expertise and/or engage human resources