The Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADGC or ADG7) is promulgated by The Advisory Committee on Transport of Dangerous Goods. The most current version is the seventh edition, released in 2008. These documents create a significant level of standardisation for the transportation of dangerous goods in Australia. The Australian Transport Advisory Council recognised the Advisory Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (ACTDG) in 1970 to expand and harmonise standardised national requirements for safe transportation of Dangerous Goods. ADGC is currently used with individual legislation and laws in each in state and territory, and has been issued by the eight governing bodies in Australia.[1] ADG7 complies with international standards of importation and exportation of dangerous goods (United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods).[2]
Contents |
Ministers in the early 1990s decided to establish a national process in order to nationally develop consistent dangerous goods transport legislation. Even though the Dangerous Goods Code was agreed to be adopted in every state and territory legislation of dangerous goods, this legislation is wide ranging in the duties and obligations of the individuals handling dangerous goods. Improvement of Dangerous Goods Code legislation was found to be on the Road Transport Reform schedule and incorporated essential reforms of the National Competition Policy. The Commonwealth Government established the Road Transport Reform Act in 1995, followed by the Road Transport Reform Regulation in 1997.[1]
The seventh edition of Australian Dangerous Goods Code was released in 2008. However, the sixth edition of Australian Dangerous Goods Code still applies as a substitute to the 7th edition for a period still not decided by governments. The structure of ADG6 which was established in 1998 differs from the current ADG7.[3] Australia is establishing a separate dangerous goods regulation for road and rail transport.[1][4]
Each class is assigned a 4 digit UN number. It is not typically possible to determine the hazard class of a substance from its UN number. An exception to this are Class 1 substances whose UN number will always begin with a 0. See List of UN numbers.