Agenda Item 2 c)	UN/CETDG/20/INF.8

Committee of Experts

on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

(Twentieth session, 7-16 December 1998)

UN MODEL REGULATIONS: CHAPTER 4.1

Transmitted by the Expert from the United Kingdom

In document ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/1998/52, the Expert from the United Kingdom proposed an editorial revision to Chapter 4.1 in order to combine general provisions relating to IBCs with those relating to packagings and large packagings, since in most cases the provisions were the same, which lead to repetitious text that is inappropriate in model regulations.

With some amendments, these proposals were accepted by the Sub-Committee at the 15th Session (see report pages 11-15 in ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/30/Add.2).

In a few cases, the provisions for packaging and IBCs were not quite the same and the two texts were combined.

However, it seems that in the first sentence of the new paragraph 4.1.1.1, the texts have been telescoped together too much and may now be open to misunderstanding. The agreed text reads:

"These provisions apply to new, reused, reconditioned or remanufactured packagings, including IBCs and large packagings, as appropriate."

It could be inferred from this wording that the use of reconditioned or remanufactured IBCs or large packagings is permitted. No such decision has been taken by the Committee.

Proposal

Amend new first sentence of 4.1.1.1 to read:

"These provisions apply, as appropriate, to new, reused, reconditioned or remanufactured packagings and to new and reused IBCs and large packagings."

--------------------------------------------------