Preliminary consultation on International Harmonization Updates to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations

Transport Canada ( TC ) is currently conducting a consultation on proposed amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations ( TDG Regulations). The TDG Regulations are updated on a regular basis to harmonize, to the greatest extent possible, with the United Nations Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods ( UN Recommendations), the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions ( ICAO TI’s ), the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code ( IMDG ) and to harmonize requirements with the United States ( US ) under the Regulatory Cooperation Council ( RCC ) work plan. Such harmonization ensures consistency between different modes of transport, facilitates international trade of dangerous goods and reduces regulatory burden on Canadian consignors and carriers who deal with dangerous goods in Canada. The proposed amendments have the following objectives:

First, to harmonize with international regulatory requirements by updating the TDG Regulations to incorporate changes introduced in the 19th edition of the UN Recommendations, the IMDG Code 2014 and the 2015-2016 ICAO TIs with respect to safety marks, classification information, shipping names, special provisions, and marine pollutants.

Secondly, to introduce dynamic references (also known as “ambulatory referencing”) for the international codes mentioned above and technical standards currently incorporated in the TDG Regulations. This would allow Canadian stakeholders to use the most recent versions of the UN Recommendations, IMDG Code, ICAO TIs and the Supplement to the ICAO TIs , the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria ( MOTC ), and certain parts of Chapter 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulation dealing with hazardous materials regulation (49 CFR ) along with many of the technical standards for the manufacture, selection and use of means of containment involved in the transport of dangerous goods as soon as they are adopted and published by their responsible organizations. Dynamic references would increase efficiency and eliminate the administrative burden and delays associated with amending the TDG Regulations every time there is a new version of an international and domestic standard.

Finally, to reduce regulatory barriers on cross-border trade with the United States, TC is proposing reciprocity of regulatory requirements for pressure receptacles and special permits and equivalency certificates.

You can request the consultation document by sending a written request by e-mail to:
TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire@tc.gc.ca.

We invite comments on the proposed amendments as contained in the attached document. Please send your comments in writing, on or before February 28, 2016 to:

Regulatory Affairs Branch
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower, 330 Sparks Street, 9th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0N5
E-mail: TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire@tc.gc.ca