IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 1 — Applicability: definition of dangerous goods, basis and application of the regulations, approvals, exemptions, exceptions, shipper and operator responsibilities, training requirements, lithium battery instruction, security provisions and incident reporting.
1.0 Definition of Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods are articles or substances which are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety, property or the environment and which are shown in the list of dangerous goods in these Regulations or which are classified according to these Regulations.
Note: Terms which have special meaning within these Regulations are defined in Appendix A.
1.1 Basis of these Regulations
1.1.1 The UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (SCoETDG) develops recommended procedures for the transport of all types of dangerous goods except radioactive materials. These procedures, applicable to all modes of transport, are published in the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods — Model Regulations.
- Part I — Explosives of Class 1
- Part II — Self-reactive / polymerizing substances (Div 4.1) and organic peroxides (Div 5.2)
- Part III — Class 2, 3, 4, Div 5.1, Class 8 and Class 9
- Part IV — Transport equipment
- Part V — Sectors other than transport
- Appendices — National contacts for test details
1.1.2 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) develops recommended procedures for the safe transport of radioactive materials. These are published in the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2018 Edition). The requirements pertaining to air transport are reflected in Section 10.
1.1.3 The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has used these recommendations as the basis for the regulations codified in Annex 18 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and in its Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284).
Note: The term "aircraft" includes both aeroplanes and helicopters.
1.1.4 The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations contain all of the requirements of the Technical Instructions. IATA has included additional requirements which are more restrictive than the Technical Instructions and reflect industry standard practices or operational considerations. These are identified by the symbol "☞" in the margin.
1.2 Application of these Regulations
1.2.1 Applicability
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations are applicable to:
- All operators which are Members or Associate Members of IATA
- All operators which are party to the IATA Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement — Cargo
- All shippers and agents that offer consignments of dangerous goods to these operators
1.2.2 Relationship to ICAO
1.2.2.1 The ICAO Annex 18 and the Technical Instructions are applicable for the transport of dangerous goods by air from, to or through the Member States of ICAO.
1.2.2.2 There are certain differences between the IATA and ICAO regulations which stem from operational considerations and result in a regulatory regime which is necessarily more restrictive than the ICAO requirements. Differences which are more restrictive are identified by the symbol "☞" in the margin.
1.2.3 General
1.2.3.1 These Regulations (referred to as "the Regulations") set out the detailed rules for the transport of dangerous goods by international air transport.
1.2.3.2 "Shall" and "must" indicate a mandatory requirement. "Should" and "may" indicate a preferred practice that is not binding.
1.2.4 Scope
The Regulations are not to be construed as requiring:
- (a) An operator to carry a specific dangerous good
- (b) An operator to refrain from imposing additional restrictions
- (c) The shipper to dispense with the obligation to search for and confirm the Shipper's Declaration
1.2.5 Approvals
1.2.5.1 "States concerned" refers to the States of origin, transit and destination. The appropriate authority may grant approval for transport under specified conditions, provided the equivalent level of safety is met.
1.2.5.2 Approvals granted by States remain valid unless specifically revoked. Operator variations may impose additional conditions.
1.2.6 Exemptions
1.2.6.1 In cases of extreme urgency or when other forms of transport are impracticable, a State may grant an exemption from the provisions of these Regulations, provided that every effort is made to achieve an overall level of safety in transport which is equivalent to the level provided by these Regulations.
1.2.6.2 An exemption may also be granted when none of the criteria can be met, if it is believed that an equivalent level of safety is achieved.
1.2.6.3-1.2.6.5 Exemptions must be documented and communicated to ICAO, relevant operators, and the States concerned. Operators must not accept exemption-based shipments unless specifically authorized.
1.2.7 Exceptions
1.2.7.1 Except as provided in Subsection 1.2, DGR provisions do not apply to dangerous goods that are:
- (a) Required on board for medical aid, veterinary aid or administered to a patient during flight
- (b) Part of the permanent equipment of the aircraft (fire extinguishers, oxygen systems, life vests)
- (c) Batteries powering containers or transport means (wet cells kept upright, protected against short circuit)
- (d) In equipment used or intended for use during a flight, approved by the operator
- (e) Carried by passengers or crew in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3
- (f) Military loads on military or chartered military aircraft
- (g) Agricultural operations (aerial work, avalanche control, search and rescue)
- (h) Veterinary or medical supplies for agricultural dropping
1.2.7.2-1.2.7.5 Exceptions for vehicle ferry flights, fuel cell engines attached to vehicles, consumer articles, and UN specification packaging.
1.2.8 General Transport Requirements
1.2.8.1 Unless otherwise provided in these Regulations, no person may offer and no operator may accept dangerous goods for transport by air unless those goods are properly classified, documented, certified, described, packaged, marked, labelled and in the condition required by the Regulations (see Subsection 2.5).
1.2.8.2 The onus is on the shipper to ensure that all requirements are met before the goods are offered for transport.
1.2.9 Application of Standards
Where these Regulations require compliance with a specific standard (e.g. ISO, ASTM, EN), the edition referenced in the current edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions applies, unless otherwise specified.
1.2.10 Dangerous Goods Packages Opened by Customs and Other Authorities
Where a package containing dangerous goods has been opened by customs or other government authorities, it must be re-inspected and re-closed so as to prevent leakage. The authorities must ensure compliance with all marking, labelling and packaging requirements before the package is returned for transport.
1.2.11 Lamps Containing Dangerous Goods
1.2.11.1 Lamps that contain dangerous goods (e.g. mercury, radioactive materials in self-luminous lamps) must comply with the applicable provisions unless specifically excepted.
1.3 Shipper's Responsibilities
1.3.1 Compliance
1.3.1.1 A shipper must not offer dangerous goods for transport by air unless those goods are classified, packaged, marked, labelled and documented as required by these Regulations.
1.3.1.2 Prior to offering dangerous goods, the shipper must ensure that all applicable State and operator variations are identified and complied with.
1.3.1.3 The shipper is responsible for ensuring that the person preparing the consignment has received adequate training.
1.3.2 Specific Responsibilities
The shipper must:
- (a) Provide the operator or its agent with complete and accurate information about the dangerous goods being offered
- (b) Use only packaging that meets the packing requirements and has been tested and approved in accordance with the applicable specifications
- (c) Ensure all persons involved in preparing the consignment are adequately trained and instructed
- (d) Make a declaration (Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods) certifying the shipment is properly classified, packed, marked and labelled
1.3.3 Dangerous Goods in Consolidations
1.3.3.1 A consolidation is a shipment consisting of packages from multiple shippers assembled into a single unit by a freight forwarder.
1.3.3.2 When dangerous goods are included in a consolidation, the freight forwarder must ensure each package is compliant and must complete a Shipper's Declaration for each dangerous goods shipment included.
1.3.4 Retention of Documents
1.3.4.1 The shipper must retain a copy of the Shipper's Declaration and other relevant documents for a minimum period prescribed by the applicable State authorities (typically at least 3 months).
1.3.4.2 Records may be kept in electronic form provided they are accessible for inspection.
1.4 Operator's Responsibilities
1.4.1 General
The operator must ensure compliance with the requirements of Section 9 covering acceptance, storage, loading, inspection and provision of information.
1.4.2 Information to Operator Employees
Operators must provide information in their manuals to flight crews and ground handling agents covering:
- Acceptance and storage procedures
- Loading and inspection requirements
- Emergency response procedures
- Reporting requirements and retention of records
- Passenger handling procedures
- Cargo compartment identification
- Dry ice quantity limits
- Radioactive material loading instructions
- Communication and interlining procedures
- Operator limitations
- Information to the pilot-in-command (NOTOC)
1.4.3 Provision of Information to Passengers
Operators must ensure that information is provided to passengers at the point of ticket purchase, at check-in areas, and at boarding gates regarding the types of dangerous goods that are forbidden in baggage. Notices must be prominently displayed.
1.4.4 Passenger Check-in Procedures
Operators must establish procedures to ensure that passengers are asked about dangerous goods in their baggage at check-in, including questions about lithium batteries, lighters, fuel cells and other commonly carried items.
1.4.5 Provision of Information at Cargo Acceptance Areas
Operators must display notices at cargo acceptance points informing shippers and agents of the requirements for offering dangerous goods for transport by air.
1.5 Training Requirements
1.5.1 Dangerous Goods Training Programs
1.5.1.1 Establishment and Maintenance — Operators, shippers, freight forwarders and ground handling agents must establish and maintain dangerous goods training programs as required by Section 1.5.
1.5.1.2 Objective — Training must be sufficient to ensure that staff can identify dangerous goods, understand the general requirements, and perform their specific duties in compliance with these Regulations.
1.5.1.3 Recurrent Training and Assessment — Recurrent training must be provided within 24 months of previous training. Assessment must be included to verify understanding.
1.5.1.4 Training and Assessment Records — Records of training and assessment must be maintained and made available to the appropriate authority upon request.
1.5.2 Review and Approval of Training Programs
Training programs must be reviewed and approved by the civil aviation authority of the State of the operator, and must be updated whenever new editions of the Regulations take effect.
1.5.3 Instructor Qualifications and Competencies
1.5.3.1 Instructors must demonstrate competence in instruction and subject matter for both initial and recurrent training programs.
1.5.3.2 Instructors must deliver courses at least every 24 months to maintain their qualification.
1.5.3.3 Instructors must receive annual updates on regulatory changes.
1.5.4 Designated Postal Operators Training Programs
Staff of designated postal operators must receive training commensurate with their responsibilities as prescribed in Table 1.5.A. Programs must be reviewed and approved by the relevant civil aviation authority.
1.5.5 IATA Dangerous Goods Training Workbooks
IATA publishes Dangerous Goods Training Workbooks (Workbooks 1-5) which are designed to complement the Regulations and assist with training program development.
1.6 Adequate Instruction for Shipping Section II Lithium Batteries
1.6.1 Shippers offering Section II lithium batteries (PI 966-970, Section II) must ensure that all persons involved in preparing the consignment have received adequate instruction on the requirements.
1.6.2 Adequate instruction includes, at a minimum:
- General familiarization with applicable requirements
- Identification and classification of lithium batteries
- Packaging, marking and labelling requirements
- Documentation requirements
- Recognition of non-compliant packages
- Responsibilities of the shipper
1.7 Dangerous Goods Security
1.7.0 General
Security provisions for dangerous goods must be applied in accordance with ICAO Annex 17 and the ICAO Security Manual (Doc 8973). Additional national security provisions may also apply.
1.7.1 General Security Provisions
1.7.1.1 All persons involved in the transport of dangerous goods must consider security requirements and take appropriate measures to minimize theft or misuse.
1.7.1.2 Persons must be aware of the potential risks and take measures to prevent unauthorized access.
1.7.1.3 Exception: Radioactive materials UN 2908-2913 (excepted packages) are not subject to the security provisions of 1.7.1.
1.7.2 Dangerous Goods Security Training
1.7.2.1 Training must include elements of security awareness commensurate with the responsibilities of the individual.
1.7.2.2 Training must address the nature of security risks, methods to address those risks, and actions to take in the event of a security breach.
1.7.2.3 Training programs must be reviewed and updated to reflect current threats.
1.7.2.4 Records of security training must be maintained.
1.7.3 Provisions for High Consequence Dangerous Goods
1.7.3.1 High consequence dangerous goods are those which have the potential for misuse in a terrorist event and which, in such use, could produce serious consequences such as mass casualties, mass destruction or, particularly in the case of Class 7, mass socio-economic disruption.
Table 1.7.A provides an indicative list of high consequence dangerous goods including Class 1 (Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Compatibility Group C, 1.5), Division 2.3, Class 6.1 (PG I, inhalation), and Class 7 above specified thresholds.
Table 1.7.B provides transport security thresholds for specific radionuclides.
1.7.4 Security Plans
1.7.4.1 Operators, shippers and others involved in the transport of high consequence dangerous goods must adopt and implement security plans.
1.7.4.2 A security plan must include, at a minimum: specific allocation of responsibilities, records of dangerous goods transported, review of current operations and vulnerability assessment, clear measures for reducing security risks, procedures for reporting and dealing with security threats, evaluation and testing of security plans, and measures to ensure the physical security of transport information.
1.7.5 Radioactive Material
Additional security provisions specific to radioactive material (Class 7) are detailed in Section 10 of these Regulations.
1.8 Incident and Accident Reporting
In the event of a dangerous goods incident or accident during air transport, the operator must report to the appropriate authority of the State in which the incident or accident occurred, the State of the operator and the State of origin of the shipment.
Reports must include the proper shipping name, UN number, class, quantity, type of packaging and the nature of the incident (leakage, fire, exposure). The report must be made as soon as possible but not later than 72 hours after the event.
Source: IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 1 (pages 1-12, PNG 0033-0044).