Dangerous Goods Transport Regulations
Introduction
The ADR Agreement or also ADR (formally, Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road[1]) is a European agreement signed by several countries in Geneva on September 30, 1957 to regulate the transport of dangerous goods by road. It came into force on January 29, 1968; It has been amended on several occasions.[2] Annexes A and B are reviewed biennially. The most recent update came into effect on January 1, 2023, although 6 months are allowed for adaptation to the new version.
The acronym ADR by which this agreement is known is due to the name of the agreement both in English Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road*) and in French* Accord Relatif au Transport des Marchandises Dangereuses par Route*.*.
Until now, the title of ADR was "European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)". Following the decision of the Contracting Parties to the Agreement, the word European is removed in this new edition to recognize the global status of ADR and as an encouragement for all United Nations Member States to unite and fully implement, supporting progress towards the road safety objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. As a Contracting Party, during the transition period and after Brexit, the United Kingdom will continue to apply ADR requirements.
Countries that have ratified the ADR Agreement
The ADR was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations Organization and is governed in Spain by the accession made on November 22, 1972. In addition to the majority of European countries, Asian and North African countries have also signed it. The last published review came into force in 2023 and biennial reviews are planned, in odd-numbered years.
As of November 2020, 52 countries have ratified ADR:[3].
Goods and vehicles
The ADR agreement defines dangerous goods as:.