INF.3

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

INLAND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE

Working Party on the transport of dangerous goods

Joint Meeting of the RID Safety Committee

and the Working Party on the Transport of

Dangerous Goods

(Genève, 13-24 March 2000)

RESTRUCTURING OF RID/ADR

Chapter 3.1

Information document of Belgium

Introduction

During the RID/ADR Joint Meeting of September 1999, Germany introduceded INF 11, containing a text for section 3.1.1 ("Explanations concerning Table A of Chapter 3.2"). Belgium proposes to change this text as indicated below, mainly because it is of the opinion that :

-	the existence of general provisions in the different chapters should be emphasised even more, and

-	for each column, the users shoud be directed not only towards the special provisions but also to the corresponding general requirements.

Proposal

"3.1 Introduction

The tables in Part 3 are intended to make it easier for those involved in the carriage of dangerous goods to obtain the the information necessary for carrying these goods correctly. In addition to the special provisions referred to or given in the tables, the general requirements of each Part, Chapter and/or Section are to be observed in each case, if they are not amended by a special provision. These general requirements are not referred to or given in the tables.

3.1.1	Explanations concerning table A : List of dangerous substances and articles in United Nations numerical order

As a rule, each row in table A of Chapter 3.2 deals with the substance(s) or article(s) covered by a specific United Nations number. However, when substances or articles belonging to the same United Nations number have different chemical properties, physical properties and/or transport conditions, several consecutive rows may be used for that United Nations number.

Each of the [19] columns of table A is dedicated to a specific subject as indicated in the explanatory notes below. The cells resulting from the crossover of columns and rows contain information concerning the subject treated in that column, for the substance(s) or article(s) of that row :

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the first four cells identify the substance(s) or article(s) belonging to that row (additional information in that respect may be given by the special provisions referred to in cell 6);

the following cells give the applicable special provisions, either in the form of complete information or in coded form.The codes cross-refer to detailed information that is to be found in the Part, Chapter, Section and/or Sub-section indicated in the explanatory notes below. An empty cell means either that there is no special provision and that only the general requirements apply, or that the transport restriction indicated in the explanatory notes is in force.

The applicable general requirements are not referred to in the corresponding cells. The explanatory notes below indicate for every column the Part(s), Chapter(s), Section(s) and/or Sub- section(s) where these are to be found. When a general requirement is contradictory to a special provision, the special provision prevails.

NOTE :	Some general requirements are not indicated in the explanatory notes below, because their subject is not amongst the ones addressed in the columns of the table (e.g. markings on packagings, the use of tanks made out of reinforced plastics, ...)

Explanatory notes for each column :

Column 1	United Nations number

Contains the United Nations number :

-	of the dangerous substance or article if the substance or article has been assigned its own specific United Nations number (cfr. the alphabetical list in [chapter ... ]), or

-	of the generic or n.o.s. entry to which the other dangerous substances or articles have been assigned in accordance with the criteria ("decision trees") of Part 2.

Column 2	Proper shipping name and description of the goods

Contains, in capital letters, the proper shipping name of the substance or article if the substance or article has been assigned its own specific United Nations number, or of the generic or n.o.s. entry to which it has been assigned in accordance with the criteria ("decision trees") of Part 2 (cfr. Section 3.1.2 for further details on proper shipping name).

If the classification and/or transport conditions of the substance or article may differ under certain conditions from the ones indicated in that row of the table, a descriptive text in small letters is added after the proper shipping name to clarify the scope of the entry.

Column 3a	Class

Contains the number of the class, whose heading covers the dangerous substance or article. This class number is assigned in accordance with the procedures and criteria of Part 2, [paragraphs ...].

Column 3b	Classification code

Contains the classification code of the dangerous substance or article.

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-	For dangerous substances or articles of class 1, the code consists of a division number and compatibility group letter, which are assigned in accordance with the procedures and criteria of paragraph [2.2.1.1.4].

-	For dangerous substances or articles of class 2, the code consists of an item number and hazardous property group, which are explained in paragraphs 2.2.2.1 (2) and 2.2.2.1 (3).

-	For dangerous substances or articles of classes 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 8 and 9, the codes are explained in paragraphs 2.2.x.1 (2) */.

-	Dangerous substances or articles of classes 5.2 and 7 do not have a classification code.

Column 4	Packing group

Contains the packing group number(s) (I, II or III) of the dangerous substance. These packing group numbers are assigned on the basis of the procedures and criteria of Part 2, [paragraphs ...]. [Articles and the following substances are not assigned to packing groups : criteria unclear, INF 3 in conttadiction with INF 12].

Column 5	Danger labels

Contains the model number of the danger labels (cfr. sub-paragraph 5.2.2.2) that have to be affixed to packages, containers, tank-containers and wagons/transport units. However :

-	for substances or articles of class 5.2, 6.2 and 7, the number of the paragraph where the applicable labelling provisions are to be found is indicated instead;

-	danger labels of model number 11 are not indicated in this column; sub-paragraph 5.2.2.1.12.2 is to be consulted in every case.

The general provisions on labelling (e.g. number of labels, their location) are to be found in paragraph 5.2.2.1 for packages, in paragraph [... for containers, ... tank-containers and ... wagons/transport units].

NOTE :	Special provisions, indicated in column 6, may change the above labelling provisions.

Column 6	Special provisions

Contains the numeric codes of special provisions that have to be met. These provisions concern a wide array of subjects, mainly connected with the content of columns 1 to 5 (e.g. transport prohibitions, exemptions from requirements, explanations concerning the classification of certain forms of the dangerous goods concerned and additional marking provisions), and are listed in chapter 3.3 in numerical order. If column 6 is empty, no special provisions apply to the content of columns 1 to 5 for the dangerous goods concerned.

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*/ x =	the class number of the dangerous substance or article, without dividing point if applicable.

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Column 7	Limited quantities

Contains an alphanumeric code with the following meaning :

-	LQ 0 signifies that no exemption from the provisions of RID/of this Annex and of Annex B is possible because of the limited quantities transported;

-	one of the codes LQ 1 to LQ 29 signifies that the provisions of RID/of this Annex and of Annex B are not applicable if the conditions indicated in chapter 3.4 are fulfilled (the general conditions of paragraph 3.4.1 and the conditions of paragraph 3.4.2 for the relevant code).

Column 8	Packing instructions

Contains the alphanumeric codes of the applicable packing instructions :

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letter "P" refer to packing instructions for packagings and receptacles (except IBCs and large packagings). These are listed in sub- section 4.1.4.1 in numerical order, and specify the packagings and receptacles that are authorized. They also indicate which of the general packing provisions of sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3, and which of the special packing provisions of sections 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.8 and 4.1.9 have to be met. If column 8 does not contain a code starting with the letter "P", the dangerous goods concerned cannot be carried in packagings.

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "IBC" refer to packing instructions for IBCs. These are listed in sub-section 4.1.4.2 in numerical order, and specify the IBCs that are authorized. They also indicate which of the general packing provisions of sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3, and which of the special packing provisions of sections 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.8 and 4.1.9 have to be met. If column 8 does not contain a code starting with the letters "IBC", the dangerous goods concerned cannot be carried in IBCs.

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "LP" refer to packing instructions for large packagings. These are listed in sub-section 4.1.4.3 in numerical order, and specify the large packagings that are authorized. They also indicate which of the general packing provisions of sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3, and which of the special packing provisions of sections 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.8 and 4.1.9 have to be met. If column 8 does not contain a code starting with the letters "LP", the dangerous goods concerned cannot be carried in large packagings.

NOTE :	Special packing provisions, indicated in column 9, may change the above packing instructions.

Column 9	Special packing provisions

Contains the alphanumeric codes of the applicable special packing provisions :

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-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "PP" refer to special packing provisions for packagings and receptacles (except IBCs and large packagings) that have additionally to be met. These are to be found in sub-section 4.1.4.1, at the end of the relevant packing instruction (with the letter "P") referred to in column 8. If column 9 does not contain a code starting with the letters "PP", none of the special packing provisions listed at the end of the relevant packing instruction apply.

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letter "B" refer to special packing provisions for IBCs that have additionally to be met. These are to be found in sub-section 4.1.4.2, at the end of the relevant packing instruction (with the letters "IBC") referred to in column 8. If column 9 does not contain a code starting with the letter "B", none of the special packing provisions listed at the end of the relevant packing instruction apply.

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letter "L" refer to special packing provisions for large packagings that have additionally to be met. These are to be found in sub-section 4.1.4.3, at the end of the relevant packing instruction (with the letters "LP") referred to in column 8. If column 9 does not contain a code starting with the letter "L", none of the special packing provisions listed at the end of the relevant packing instruction apply.

Column 9b Mixed packing provisions

Contains the alphanumeric code[s] of the applicable mixed packing provision[s]. These are listed in sub-section [4.1.2.2] in numerical order.

Column 10	Tank codes for RID/ADR tanks (metal)

Contains an alphanumeric code describing a tank type, in accordance with sub-section 4.3.3.1.1 (for substances of class 2) or 4.3.4.1.1 (for substances of all classes except 1, 2 [and 7]). This tank type corresponds with the least stringent tank provisions that are acceptable for the carriage of the relevant substance in tanks. The codes describing the other allowable tank types are to be found in paragraph 4.3.3.1.2 (for substances of class 2) or 4.3.4.1.2 (for substances of all classes except 1, 2 [and 7]). If no code is given, carriage in metal RID/ADR tanks is not permitted.

The general requirements for the construction, equipment, type approval, testing and marking that are not indicated in the tank type are to be found in sections 6.8.1, 6.8.2, 6.8.3 and 6.8.5. The general requirements for the use (e.g. maximum filling degree, minimum test pressure) are to be found in sections 4.3.1 to 4.3.4.

NOTE :	Special provisions, indicated in column 9, may change the above requirements.

Column 11	Special provisions for RID/ADR tanks

Contains the alphanumeric codes of the special provisions for metal RID/ADR tanks that have additionally to be met :

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TU" refer to special provisions for the use of these tanks. These are to be found in sub-section 4.3.5.

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TC" refer to special provisions for the construction of these tanks. These are to be found in sub-section 6.8.4 (a).

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-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TE" refer to special provisions concerning the items of equipment of these tanks. These are to be found in sub-section 6.8.4 (b).

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TA" refer to special provisions for the type approval of these tanks. These are to be found in sub-section 6.8.4 (c).

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TP" refer to special provisions for the testing of these tanks. These are to be found in sub-section 6.8.4 (d).

-	alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TM" refer to special provisions for the marking of these tanks. These are to be found in sub-section 6.8.4 (e).

Column 12	Tank codes for portable tanks

Contains an alphanumeric code describing a portable tank type, in accordance with sub- section 4.2.4.2.1 to 4.2.4.2.4 and 4.2.4.2.6 of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods [or the IMDG Code]. This portable tank type corresponds with the least stringent provisions that are acceptable for the carriage of the substance in portable tanks. The codes describing the other portable tank types that are permitted for the carriage of the substance are to be found in paragraph 4.2.4.2.5 of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. If no code is given, carriage in portable tanks is not permitted.

The general requirements for the design, construction, equipment, type approval, testing and marking of portable tanks are to be found in chapter 6.7 of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.. The general requirements for the use (e.g. filling) are to be found in sections 4.2.1 to 4.2.3.

NOTE :	Special provisions, indicated in column 13, may change the above requirements.

Column 13	Special provisions for portable tanks

Contains the alphanumeric codes of the special provisions for portable tanks that have additionally to be met. These codes, starting with the letters "TP" refer to special provisions for the construction or use of these portable tanks. They are to be found in sub- section 4.2.4.3 of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

[Column 14 – 19 : to be discussed in WP.15 and RID Committee of Experts]".

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