ADR 2017: the main changes

ADR 2017, applicable from January 1, changes the rules for transporting hazardous materials. New features include safety advisors, package marking, and the addition of polymerizing materials.

Marie Faucon
EHS Consultant
Update : 
12.09.2025
Publication: 
11.07.2016
Contents
Example H2
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The regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials by road change every odd-numbered year, with the adoption of a new version of theADR. With just a few days to go before the ADR 2017 is published, we'd like to take a look at the main new features that can be applied from January1, 2017, and will become mandatory on July1, 2017.

New version of ADR

Safety Advisor

Dangerous goods packaging and tank filling operations will be explicitly taken into account by the Safety Advisor in the performance of his duties. Accordingly, the Safety Advisor will be required to examine :

  • procedures for checking the equipment used for packaging and filling operations
  • emergency procedures in the event of an accident or incident occurring during packaging or filling operations
  • instructions and awareness-raising actions for personnel carrying out this type of operation.

Similarly, the Safety Advisor must draw up an accident report for the company's management in the event of an accident affecting people, property or the environment during a packaging or filling operation.

ADR 2017 also introduces the possibility of organizing the Safety Adviser exam in electronic form, as is already the case in some countries. However, the Comité Interprofessionnel pour le développement de la Formation dans les transports de Marchandises Dangereuse (CIFMD), which organizes the exam in France, has no plans to use this solution in the short term.

Hazardous materials classification

A consignor who has identified, on the basis of tests, that a dangerous substance named in theADR presents a subsidiary risk not shown on the hazard labels associated with the UN number, may, with the agreement of the competent authority, ship this substance:

  • or under a more appropriate n.o.s. collective heading
  • or under the same UN number corresponding to the named substance, by completing the transport document, the package labels or the vehicle placards to inform of the subsidiary risk identified, and provided that the main hazard class is retained and the transport rules applicable to substances presenting the combination of risks in question are applied.

In this case, the transport document must bear the words "classified in accordance with 2.1.2.8".

Polymerizing materials

A new category has been added to Class 4.1, which previously included flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives: "polymerizing substances". This category comprises 4 new UN numbers 3531 to 3534, subject to various provisions designed to prevent polymerization of products during transport.

Package marking

Additional markings required by a special provision of ADR 2017 on packages must be at least 12 mm high, easily visible and legible, and weatherproof without noticeable deterioration. These include the "AEROSOLS" and "LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR DISPOSAL OR RECYCLING" markings.

Environmentally hazardous substances

Environmentally hazardous materials classified under UN 3077 (solids) and UN 3082 (liquids) will no longer be subject to any restrictions on passage through tunnels. Until now, vehicles carrying these materials were prohibited from using category E tunnels (except for transport in packages with a net quantity ≤ 5 liters or 5 kg per single or inner package).

Aerosols

The packing of aerosols (UN 1950) in large packagings will have to comply with a new packing instruction LP200, replacing the current instruction LP02. In particular, the large packagings used will have to satisfy the test level of packing group II (marking "Y") instead of packing group III (marking "Z"). However, a transitional measure will allow large packagings complying with packing instruction LP02 to continue to be used until December 31, 2022.

Dry ice

Previously exempted from the ADR, the transport of solid carbon dioxide (UN 1845) as a hazardous substance will now be subject to the same provisions as the transport of packages or vehicles containing it for the refrigeration or packaging of other products.

In summary, the packages must :

  • withstand low temperatures
  • not be affected by dry ice
  • be designed to allow gas to escape, to prevent pressure build-up that could lead to package rupture
  • be marked "NEIGE CARBONIQUE" (CARBON SNOW)
  • be transported in well-ventilated vehicles and containers (= carbon dioxide concentration less than 0.5% by volume + oxygen concentration greater than 19.5% by volume), unless no gas exchange is possible between the load compartment and the driver's cab.

If the vehicle or container is not sufficiently ventilated, and given the risk of asphyxiation, the following warning mark must be affixed at each access point. It must be easily visible to anyone opening the doors or entering the vehicle or container.

Uncleaned empty packaging

For the record:

  • Soiled packaging must have contained goods classified as dangerous under the ADR in order to be classified under the ADR.
  • Of all the packaging soiled with hazardous materials, only empty AND cleaned packaging can be exempted from the ADR.

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In Case 1, the empty packs are in good condition. They can be resealed and are intended for reuse. For ADR-compliant transport, they must be marked (UN number) and labelled as if they were full.

In application of ADR 2017, the wording on the transport document accompanying such packagings which have contained substances in classes 3 to 9 except 7, will now be "EMPTY PACKAGING WITH RESIDUES OF [...]" followed by the class(es) and subsidiary risk(es) corresponding to the various residues.

For example, empty uncleaned packagings which have contained class 3 goods carried with empty uncleaned packagings which have contained class 8 goods presenting a class 6.1 subsidiary risk. They may be designated in the transport document as follows: "EMPTY PACKAGINGS WITH RESIDUES OF 3, 6.1, 8".

Lithium batteries

A new mark is to be affixed to packages containing "small" lithium cells or batteries. These are prepared in accordance with special provision 188.

A new label 9A has also been introduced for the labelling of other packages of lithium cells and batteries. This label replaces the Class 9 label for UN numbers 3090, 3091, 3480 and 3481.

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Safety instructions in ADR

The written safety instructions to be carried on board vehicles have been modified to take account of other changes in the ADR (e.g. addition of polymerizing substances, addition of the new 9A label for lithium batteries).

Carriers must provide their drivers with updated safety instructions based on the new model by July1, 2017 at the latest.

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