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Significant Changes to the 57th Edition IATA DGR

Posted on 9/14/2015 by Roger Marks

This fall, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will release the 57th edition of its Dangerous Goods Regulation, or DGR. Mandatory compliance with the new rules starts January 1, 2016.

Have questions about shipping hazmat by air? This FAQ is a great place to start.

In addition to changes to State and operator variations, new rules for dangerous goods (DG) carried by passenger and crew, and restructuring of some tables, the 57th edition DGR will include some important new and modified rules for hazmat air shippers.
 
57th edition IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, or DGR, shipping manual

Section 5- Packing Dangerous Goods

IATA will expand the exception from the prohibition on loading DG packages in a unit load device to align it with the list at IATA DGR 9.1.4 (Acceptance of Freight Containers and Unit Load Devices).

IATA added a paragraph to IATA DGR 5.0.1.5 to clarify that an overpack containing DG may also contain non-dangerous goods.

Packing Instruction Y963 for Consumer Commodities

The packing instruction has been expanded to identify substances permitted to be classified as “ID 8000, Consumer Commodities” under Special Provision A112. Also, IATA added text to clearly identify that other dangerous goods must NOT be packed in the same outer packagings with substances classified as consumer commodities.

Shipping Lithium Batteries

As expected, the 2016 DGR will include more changes for lithium battery shippers.

Under Packing Instructions 967 and 970, IATA has clarified its lithium battery handling label requirements. Previously, lithium batteries contained in-equipment were excepted from the handling label requirement when the shipment included no more than than 4 cells or 2 batteries. For the 57th edition, IATA will tighten this exception to include only consignments of fewer than two packages. A 12-month transition period will be provided for shippers to get up to speed with the new labeling requirement.

IATA has added text to the lithium battery packing instructions to require “rigid” outer packaging. IATA will modify the permitted packagings tables for lithium batteries to include descriptions of outer packagings permitted for these shipments.

Packing Instructions 966 and 969 has been amended to identify what may be considered “equipment” with respect to shipping lithium batteries.

Damaged or Leaking GHS Packages

While IATA already sets requirements for actions to take on dangerous goods packages found to be damaged or leaking (IATA DGR 9.3.6), a new paragraph has been added to IATA DGR 9.4.4 to address non-DG cargo that may display GHS hazard communication markings.

IATA Dangerous Goods Shipper’s Declaration

IATA has added clarification regarding the Shipper’s Declaration; shippers may identify the number of packages in a consignment using either numbers or words.

Appendix H: What to Expect for 2017

The 57th edition Dangerous Goods Regulations will include an Appendix H, which offers a preview of new IATA regulations that will take effect in 2017. New air shipping standards IATA adopts for 58th Ed. DGR (2017) will be based on changes adopted from the 19th revised edition of the UN Model Regulations and changes agreed to by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel.

Pre-order the 57th Edition Now

Order your copy of the 57th edition Dangerous Goods Regulations today and be ready for a smooth transition to the 2016 hazmat air shipping rules!

Get free shipping when you order your copy of the 57th edition DGR before October 16. Visit Lion.com/bookstore or call 888-546-6511 to keep your team in compliance, avoid rejected shipments, and prevent US FAA fines up to $75,000 per day, per violation.

Tags: hazmat shipping, IATA, lithium batteries, new rules

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