What's New in the 2021 IATA DGR?

It’s that time of year again! The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is set to publish a new edition of its Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), the go-to manual for shippers and airlines worldwide to ensure the safe transport of hazardous materials by air.

Mandatory compliance with the new edition IATA DGR starts on January 1, 2021.

What's New in the 2021 IATA DGR (62^nd Edition)?

The 2021 IATA DGR makes significant changes to the air shipping regulations, including: 

• Adds new UN numbers and proper shipping names to the List of Dangerous Goods in Section 4.2
• Revises many of the IATA DGR Packing Instructions, including PI 965 and 970 for lithium cells or batteries
• Revises the criteria for assigning PG to corrosives and mixtures
• Adds new special provisions to Section 4.4 and amended existing special provisions
• Adds new criteria to address solid medical waste containing Category A infectious substance (3.6.2.4)
• Revises the criteria for assigning PG to corrosives and mixtures
• Re-numbers the Packing Instruction (PI) for UN 3291 from PI 622 to PI 621.
• Adopting a new, competency-based framework for dangerous goods training in Section 1.5. 

See the full list of updates to the 2021 IATA DGR here.

Competency-based DG Training

In addition to the changes above (and others), the 2021 IATA DGR amends the dangerous goods training requirements in Section 1.5 to “implement a competency-based approach to dangerous goods training and assessment.”

A competency-based approach to dangerous goods training is one that identifies key competencies and skills that each employee will need to do his or her specific tasks, then provides training and tools for the employee to develop these competencies. Adoption of this method in the IATA DGR is intended make DG training a more learner-centered effort.

“Competency-based training” can be contrasted with a “one-size-fits-all” hazmat training approach, in which each employee experiences the same level and detail of DG training, regardless of their previous knowledge, job responsibilities, or experience level.

You can read more about the competency-based training approach in Appendix H to the 2020 IATA DGR (61^st Edition).  

The IATA DGR requires training for hazmat employees once every 24 months. 

To help employers implement a competency based approach to dangerous goods training, Lion offers a wide variety of online hazmat and IATA DGR training courses that cover the major job functions that hazmat employees must perform—from classifying and naming materials to packaging, marking, labeling, placarding, loading, unloading, and documenting hazmat shipments.

At Lion.com/Hazmat, find comprehensive courses for hazmat shipping managers as well as targeted training for individual hazmat employees like packagers, loading dock workers, and clerical assistants. 

Live 49 CFR and IATA DGR Training 

Join a hazmat webinar led by a full-time Lion instructor to develop a step-by-step approach to ship hazardous materials safely and in compliance by ground and air. With in-person hazmat training on hold for many of us at the moment, these live, expert-led webinars are the next best option for effective hazmat training. 

Upcoming DOT (49 CFR) and IATA DGR hazmat shipper webinars: 

Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT) 

• November 18–19, 2020

• December 16–17, 2020 

Recurrent Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT)

• December 3, 2020

• January 6, 2021 

Hazmat Air Shipper Certification (IATA) 

• December 8, 2020

• January 7, 2021

Save your spot now for training to help satisfy 49 CFR and IATA DGR training requirements for hazmat employees.

What is the IATA DGR?

The International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR) is the manual used by hazmat shippers, freight forwarders, brokers, and airlines to mitigate the risks posed by hazardous materials during air transport. 

The IATA DGR combines international hazmat regulations from the United Nations, the ICAO Technical Instructions or "TI," with unique requirements and preferences of member airlines—including passenger airlines and major cargo carriers like UPS and FedEx.

The IATA DGR is updated annually and all revised requirements take effect on January 1 of each new year.

Tags: 2021 IATA DGR, hazmat air shipping, IATA DGR, new rules