ADR cargo: hazard classes and preparation for transport

ADR is the international agreement concerning the carriage of dangerous goods by road. Annex A covers classification, packaging, marking, documents and conditions of carriage; Annex B covers requirements for vehicles, crews and operations. ADR 2025 applies from 1 January 2025 and remains the baseline for checking international road transport in 2026.

‘Chemicals’ or ‘dangerous goods’ is not enough. Requirements depend on the exact substance or article, UN number, proper shipping name, class, subsidiary hazard, packing group, quantity, packaging and route. An error in one element changes the documents and permissible transport conditions.

The system includes explosive substances and articles; gases; flammable liquids; flammable solids, self-reactive substances and substances that emit flammable gases; oxidising substances and organic peroxides; toxic and infectious substances; radioactive material; corrosive substances; and miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.

The class is only the starting point. Within it, dangerous-goods list entries, classification codes, packing groups and special provisions apply. For some cargo, control temperature, environmental hazards, tunnel restrictions or special packaging requirements matter. Classification cannot be determined from a product's everyday name.

The UN number identifies the transport entry but must be used together with the proper shipping name. A brand's commercial name or internal item code does not replace that name. Where an entry has a subsidiary hazard or technical name, these details must also be taken into account in documentation and marking.

The packing group, where assigned, reflects the degree of danger and affects permitted packaging. Within the applicable classification, I corresponds to high danger, II to medium danger and III to lower danger. Some classes use other parameters and are not assigned a packing group, so an empty field is not always an error.

The consignor supplies transport data to the carrier in the prescribed way: UN number, shipping name, class and, where applicable, packing group, tunnel restriction code and other mandatory elements. The safety data sheet is a source of technical information, but alone does not prove that the transport document entry is correct.

The order also needs the number and type of packages, weight or volume, addresses, a responsible contact, temperature conditions, whether mixed loading is possible and any exemptions the consignor intends to use. If the data conflict with the label, safety data sheet or actual packaging, stop loading until the discrepancy is clarified.

Packaging must be permitted for the specific cargo and transport regime, be in serviceable condition and be closed in the prescribed manner. For combination packaging, check inner receptacles, absorbent material, material compatibility and outer packaging. A similar-looking jerrican without a confirmed packaging type is not sufficient.

Packages must bear the required numbers, hazard labels, orientation arrows and additional markings. Containers, tanks or vehicles may require plates and placards. Marking must remain visible and match the document throughout the route.

Select the vehicle type after classification and quantity assessment. Some transport requires vehicle approval, special equipment, fire extinguishers, personal protective equipment and instructions in writing. The required equipment depends on the regime, not a general ‘ADR truck’ label.

The driver must have training and a certificate where the applicable provisions require them. Before departure, check document validity, equipment compliance, route restrictions, parking and emergency procedures. Do not assign a vehicle first and then try to adjust the classification to suit the equipment available.

ADR provides several conditional exemptions: limited and excepted quantities, carriage within thresholds per transport unit, and special provisions for individual entries. Each regime has its own limits, packaging, marking and duties. Together they do not create a universal rule that ‘ADR is not needed below one tonne’.

To use an exemption, document the calculation and check the entire load. If a vehicle carries several entries, account for every category and compatibility. Changes in quantity, packaging or groupage composition may put the transport outside the selected regime, so repeat the check before loading.

Provide the UN number, full shipping name, class, subsidiary hazard, packing group, tunnel code where assigned, net and gross weight, number and type of packages, safety data sheet and photographs of markings. State the addresses, date, warehouse contact, loading arrangements and anticipated restrictions.

GreenTrans Group will check route feasibility and vehicle selection only after receiving these data. A link to the ADR service is provided below; if the dangerous goods form part of an import or multimodal chain, also describe the origin country, borders and transshipments. Final requirements are confirmed against the current ADR edition for the specific shipment.