Changes to Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor Regulations

The carriage of some goods can involve particular hazards e.g. due to their chemical properties, explosive nature, flammability or danger to the environment. The carriage of such goods is governed by specific legislation such as the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations which require carriage to be carried out in accordance with the rules set out in international agreements such as ADR for road transport and RID for transport by rail.

These rules apply to all those involved in the transport of dangerous goods this includes packers, fillers, loaders and unloaders as well as the carriers themselves.

Under those regulations various organisations are required to appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) to help them manage the risks. Among other things the roll of the DGSA includes monitoring compliance with the requirements governing the carriage of dangerous goods, advising undertakings on the carriage of dangerous goods and preparing an annual report about the performance of the undertaking in transporting dangerous goods.

Subject to certain exemptions, traditionally it has mainly been organisations that actually carry dangerous goods who have been required to appoint a DGSA, i.e. businesses who were only involved in the consignment of dangerous good but who did not actually carry them do not ned to appoint a DGSA. However following a change that was brought in when the ADR agreement was updated in 2019 this requirement is now being expanded.

In summary a consignor is someone who either sends goods or who arranges for them to be sent. Consignors have a number of responsibilities under the regulations including correctly preparing dangerous goods for carriage, e.g. classifying, marking and packaging, in line with requirements and providing the carrier with correct information such as transport documents

With effect from 31^st December 2022 it will become also a legal requirement for organisations who only act as consignors to also appoint a DGSA.

Further information about the requirement to appoint a DGSA can be found on the Gov.Uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carriage-of-dangerous-goods-guidance-note-19/employing-a-dangerous-goods-safety-adviser#dangerous-goods

The Department for Transport have also produced a video explaining the changes, which is available to view on You Tube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wi36XFN_qU

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