The Australian Dangerous Goods Code

The Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7th edition

The 7th edition of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG 7) has been endorsed by the Australian Transport Council and it is expected to be implemented in most jurisdictions by 31 December 2008. Other jurisdictions have agreed to implement it as soon as possible after this date on a best endeavors basis. There will be a transitional period of 12 months in each State and Territory, commencing when ADG 7 is implemented, where compliance with either the 6th edition or the 7th edition will be acceptable. Start and end dates for this transitional period should be checked with the Competent Authority in the relevant State or Territory. (Contact details for the Competent Authorities can be accessed here)

Details on how and where to purchase a copy of ADG 7 are listed at: Dangerous Goods Publications

An electronic version of ADG 7 will be available at no charge from 1 January 2009. It can be accessed from the National Transport Commission website.

The Australian Dangerous Goods Code 6th edition

The current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code (6th Edition) for road and rail is implemented by State and Territory legislation. It lists all provisions applicable to the transport of dangerous goods including:

• Classification
• Packaging and performance testing
• Use of bulk containers, IBCs Freight containers and unit loads,
• Marking and placarding
• Vehicle requirements
• Segregation and stowage,
• Transfer of bulk dangerous goods
• Documentation,
• Safety equipment, procedures during transport,
• Emergencies and
• A dangerous goods list with UN numbers

A copy of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code 6th edition (ADG 6) can be accessed electronically on the National Transport Commission website.

If you wish to purchase a copy of the Code, details are listed on the Dangerous Goods publications page.

A copy of the model regulations associated with ADG 6 can be accessed here.

ADG 6 does not contain all requirements and guidelines relating to the transport of explosives, infectious substances, radioactive materials, waste products and other environmentally hazardous substances. Provisions of the Code dealing with those substances should be read subject to Section 10 of the Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995 of the Australian Government and the following:

• The requirements in ADG 6 relating to the transport of explosives are in addition to the requirements of any other law of a State or Territory or the Australian Government relating to the transport of explosives. Rules for the transport of explosives are to be found predominantly in the Australian Explosives Code, as it is applied by State, Territory and Australian Government legislation;
  
• The requirements in ADG 6 relating to the transport of infectious substances are in addition to the requirements of any other law of a State or Territory or the Australian Government relating to the transport of infectious substances [PDF: 42 KB]
  
• The requirements in ADG 6 relating to the transport of radioactive substances are in addition to any other law of a State or Territory or the Australian Government relating to the transport of those substances, including the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances; and
  
• The requirements in ADG 6 do not apply to waste products and other environmentally hazardous substances unless those products or substances are also dangerous goods within the meaning of the Code. Enquiries concerning the transport of waste and other environmentally hazardous substances should be directed to the relevant State or Territory authority responsible for administering environment protection legislation.