What is ADR?

ADR is a European agreement on international transportation of dangerous goods by road transport; it acts on territories of all states of the European Union, as well as Russia, Kazakhstan and other countries. The document was created as an initiative of the UN. Goods that can threaten health and lives of people and/or environment in the process of transportation are considered dangerous. Individual routes have to be planned for transportation of such goods, in addition control of traffic and rules of packaging need to be followed.

Safety measures have to be applied for transportation and storage of dangerous goods. Transport has to be fully equipped for shipping of dangerous goods. The driver of such transport needs to have certificate that is necessary for transportation of dangerous goods, and has to complete special courses.

According to ADR agreement dangerous goods can be divided into classes:

• Class 1 – Explosive substances

• Class 2 – Gas

• Class 3 – Flammable liquid substances

• Class 4 – Flammable solid substances

• Class 5 – Oxidisers

• Class 6 – Toxic substances

• Class 7 – Radioactive substances

• Class 8 – Corrosive substances

• Class 9 – other dangerous substances

  When choosing carries of dangerous goods, it is necessary to be selective and keep in mind that in order to transport dangerous goods via railway, sea and air transport in Europe, separate agreements act in such cases:  “RID”, “IMDG” and “ICAO-TI”.