UN SubCommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
In order to ensure consistency between the regulatory systems in every country and every mode for the transport of dangerous goods, the United Nations has developed mechanisms for the harmonization of transport conditions for all modes for transport (TDG). This harmonization occurs in the SubCommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCETDG). http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm The result of this effort is the UN Model Regulations, which is used by many countries as the basis of the country’s TDG regulations. The UN Model Regulations is currently in the 16th revision.
The UNSCETDG meets twice a year, in June and December, always in Geneva, Switzerland, to consider proposals from governmental and non-governmental delegations that will be incorporated into the UN Model Regulations.
In 2005, IPPIC was granted Non-Governmental Organization status by the United Nations and is permitted to attend and participate in these meetings.
The IPPIC delegation includes the transport staff of CEPE and ACA. Participation in the IPPIC delegation to the UNSCETDG is open to those participating companies or country trade association of IPPIC.
During the last biennium, the two-year working period of the UNSCETDG, IPPIC has submitted proposals, testified on other delegations’ proposals and participated in the working groups on a variety of papers, including
- Working Group on Explosives (nitrocellulose);
- Informal working group on “chemicals under pressure”;
- Informal working group on packing instructions;
- IPPIC proposal for a new UN entry for Class 9 paints;
- Proposed changes to the use of Limited Quantities;
- IPPIC proposal for an exception to requirement that closures be upright; among others.
Questions? Contact Heidi McAuliffe at hmcauliffe@paint.org