IATA to Relax Hazard Label Specs for DG Air Shippers

On March 27, 2018, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued guidance regarding the specifications for dangerous goods labels on air shipments. In the guidance document, IATA announced that the recently added 2 mm minimum size requirement for hazard label borders will be relaxed in the future.

Learn the latest IATA DGR standards to keep your DG air shipments in full compliance at the Hazmat Air Shipper Certification Workshop in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Kansas City, and North NJ in April.

Background on the 2 mm Border Line

Following the UN’s lead, IATA introduced new hazard label design requirements—including a minimum 2 mm border line on all hazard labels—in the 56^th Edition Dangerous Goods Regulations and provided a two-year transition period for shippers to come into compliance.

Many dangerous goods shippers and stakeholders raised concerns about a 2 mm border requirement, given that the size of the border on the label does not have any impact on the safety of the shipment.

What Happens Next for DG Air Shippers?

The ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel has decided to modify the hazard label specifications in the Technical Instructions (TI), effective in the 2019-2020 edition. Once the TI are updated, IATA will update its own hazard label rules at DGR 7.2.2.3.2(a) to remove or relax the 2 mm border requirement.

Until the DGR is updated, hazard labels that do not conform to the 2 mm border rule will be treated as a “minor variation.” Minor variations are acceptable so long as they do not affect the obvious meaning of the label.

DOT and IATA DGR Training for
Shippers - In the Classroom or Via Live Webinar

Meet DOT and IATA training mandates in cities nationwide in 2018. Be confident your shipments are in full compliance with the latest 49 CFR and DGR requirements for ground or air transport. Or join a Lion instructor live on May 1 for the IATA Air Shipper Certification Webinar. 
 
Learn the keys to compliance with IATA’s DGR for hazmat/dangerous goods air shipments. This expert-led training is designed to help satisfy the training requirement for DG air shippers at IATA DGR 1.5 and builds on your DOT (49 CFR) hazmat knowledge.  
 
Need DOT (49 CFR) hazmat training for highway shipments? Check out the Hazmat Ground Shipper workshop or online course here. 
 
Renew your DOT hazmat training here with the recurrent online course or live, one-day refresher webinar on May 3.
 

Tags: dangerous, goods, hazmat shipping, IATA, IATA DGR, labels