What are Dangerous Goods & How to Transport Them?

Dangerous goods, otherwise known as dangerous cargo or hazardous materials, are those materials which may compromise the safety of an aircraft and those on board. In the context of an aircraft, a vast majority of everyday household items fall under the dangerous goods category. The International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) is responsible for the regulations pertaining to the transportation of dangerous goods. 

Safety Standardization 

As even commonplace items can threaten the safety and integrity of an aircraft, certain items are forbidden or restricted for transportation via air. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the industry standard when it comes to matters concerning the safe passage of dangerous goods by air. They are responsible for formulating standards for curation, documentation, handling, and training, which in turn guarantees a relatively safer environment when 9 kilometers high in the sky with hazardous materials. 

Regulations for Dangerous Goods 

The IATA collaborates with the ICAO and local governing bodies to formulate guidelines and regulations. This is done to ensure the guidelines pertaining to the transportation of dangerous goods are practical and effective. The Dangerous Goods Manual (DRG Manual) by the IATA is the international standard for the shipment of hazardous materials, and the only standard recognized by airlines. 

Training Material 

The 63rd edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations outlines the provisions on competency-based training and assessment (CBTA), as agreed by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel in DGP/27 (September 2019). There is a two-year transition period and therefore, the training provisions from the 61st edition may continue to be used until 31 December 2022. Appendix I.1.5 as shown in the 61st edition has been adopted in Subsection 1.5 and Subsection 1.5 from the 61st edition has been moved to Attachment A of Appendix H. The guidance material on the development and implementation of competency-based training and assessment can be found in Appendix H. This is the practical guide for the industry to develop their training framework in accordance with the new provisions and will continue to be enhanced by the Dangerous Goods Training Working Group (DGTWG), based on the feedback from training providers and member airlines. 

e-DGD 

DGD stands for Dangerous Goods Declaration. The e-DGD refers to a digital method of managing the IATA DGD, which is employed to digitize databases and to follow the principles of a data sharing platform. 

The access to this data is provided by the owner, and is provided on a requirement basis. Such a platform permits the supply chain to function as a cohesive unit, across all stakeholders and ground agents, including forwarders, carriers, shippers, and third-party providers. 

Benefits 

• A lower number of mistakes and delays 
• Higher data quality 
• Improved customer experience 
• A higher degree of transparency and traceability 
• Faster DG processes 

Complying with International Regulations 

To ship dangerous goods, a form is drawn up by the cosigners which certifies that the shipment has been labelled, packed, and declared in compliance with the IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). The affixed sample Shipper's Declarations Form reflects changes that have been adopted into the 60th edition of the DGR. Forms of the design as shown in the 59th edition may continue to be used until 31 December 2024. 

Process to Ship Dangerous Goods 

1. Understand and comply with the Guidelines- Following the guidelines while transporting any hazardous material is crucial. Guidelines contain a set of rules and regulations concerning the preparation and building, marking, checking, and necessary documentation. 
2. Undergo Training- Anybody involved with the transportation or shipping of hazardous goods must be well-versed with the regulations, understand & comply with them, and should have undergone the necessary training. An organization or person who has already completed this training can be recruited to manage the shipment on your behalf. 
3. Curating the Shipment- The transporter is responsible for a hazardous shipment, wherein it must be distinguished, grouped, pronounced, pressed, stamped, and named with the appropriate documentation in the context of the nations/regions of beginning, travel, and objective. 
4. Preparing the Shipment- In a majority of cases, it is crucial to use affirmed bundling, with the United Nations detailed markings displayed prominently. The UN detail markings confirm that a shipment has been specifically tested for the necessary safety requirements, and is allowed to ship dangerous goods. Check the present IATA DG rules and regulations to see whether your shipment requires them. 
5. Getting the Correct Markings- Typically, shipments of dangerous goods require clear markings which relate to the auxiliary peril and risk class of the shipment. Older marks on reused boxes must be decimated. Supported marks may be acquired from the IATA hazardous materials website.