As previously reported by CTA, The Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (International Harmonization Update, 2016) were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette July 12, 2017.
The purpose of the amendment is to more closely align Transport Canada’s Regulations with those in the United States as well as the United Nations Standards.
Compliance with the updated regulations is required six months from the day they were published in the Canada Gazette. During the six-month transition, compliance with both the old and new regulations is permitted. Compliance will be required by January 12, 2018.
Highlights, among others, that may be of interest to carriers include:
- New safety marks Class 9, Lithium Batteries to harmonize with the UN standards;
- New Canadian labeling requirements for dangerous goods that are toxic by inhalation to align them more closely with the requirements in the U.S. 49 CFR. Instead of the words “toxic by inhalation” or “toxic — inhalation hazard”, the regulations now require the words “inhalation hazard” to be displayed on the means of containment as is required in the United States. The location of the markings on the means of containment and minimum size requirements for the letters are also aligned with those in the United States;
- Introduction of ambulatory referencing of CSA technical standards that are incorporated in the TDG Regulations, allowing for the most recent versions of these documents to be used;
- Updated standards for certain intermediate bulk containers and a time limit on the use of others.
A full version of the amendments and explanatory text are accessible through the following URL: http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2017/2017-07-12/html/sor-dors137-eng.php