Environment Law Update: Transport and labelling of waste and hazardous substances 3

United Kingdom

Additive UN 3082

The HSE have issued two exemption certificates under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Legislation. These impact on operators of road tankers where the main tank is carrying Gas Oil, Diesel Fuel, Light (UN 1202) or Kerosene (UN 1223) Heating Oil, Motor Spirit, Gasoline or Petrol (UN 1203) and a further small tank (not exceeding 25 litres) containing an additive classified as UN 3082. The first exemption, under Carriage of Dangerous Goods By Road Regulations [CDGRoad] (SI 1996 No 2095), exempts the road tanker operator from the requirement to placard the small tank. The other exemption is under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Driver Training) Regulations [DTR2] (SI 1996 No 2094) and exempts the road tanker operator from the requirement to ensure that the driver of the road tanker holds a vocational training certificate for the class of goods being carried in the small tank. The exemptions came into force on 7 February 2001.
(HSE, February 2001)

European Union

Transport by road

A Directive (2001/7/EC) adapting for the third time to technical progress a Directive with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road (94/55/EC) has been published. The new Directive incorporates in Annexes A and B the latest version of the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR) text. The ADR is updated every two years and the latest version will be in force from 1 July 2001. Member states must implement the Directive for class 7 dangerous goods (radioactive material) by 31 December 2001 and for other classes of dangerous goods by 31 December 2002.
(OJ L 30, 1 February 2001)

Transport by rail

A Directive (2001/6/EC) adapting for the third time to technical progress a Directive with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail (96/49/EC) has been published. The new Directive incorporates the latest version of the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail (RID) in the annex to the Directive. The RID is updated every two years and the latest version will be in force as from 1 July 2001. Member states must implement the Directive for dangerous goods of class 7 (radioactive material) by 31 December 2001 and for other classes of dangerous goods by 31 December 2002.
(OJ L 30, 1 February 2001)

International

Carriage of fuel oil in ship bunkers

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has approved a convention that establishes rules on liability and compensation for pollution caused by oil carried for fuel in ship bunkers. It will add to existing IMO rules on spills from tankers carrying oil as cargo. The convention will enter into force following ratification by 18 IMO member states, five of which must each have fleets of 1 million gross tonnes. Studies have shown that the number of oil spills from ship bunkers is much greater than from oil carried as cargo, and some ships can carry more oil in their bunkers than certain oil tankers carry as cargo. The new regime will require registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tonnes to maintain compulsory insurance cover. Rules on compensation of victims are also set out.
(IMO, March 2001)