China MoT issued on 23 Jan the new “Provisions on the Road Transport of Dangerous Goods” (MoT Order 2 of 2013) to replace its previous 2005 edition, which will come into force since 1 Jul of this year.
Although no great amendments are made, the new regulation raises more detailed requirements for the road-transport operators and companies who are allowed to transport their own dangerous goods by road. Meanwhile, the government is intended to reinforce the supervision of road transportation by imposing stricter penalties in case of any violation.
The MoT Order 2 of 2013 consists of seven parts, including general provisions, road transport permit of dangerous goods, management on vehicles and transportation equipment, specific articles about road transport of dangerous goods, supervision and examination as well as supplementary. It is noted that the transport of civil explosives, fireworks or firecrackers and radioactive articles are out of scope of application.
Besides companies running the transportation business, enterprises engaged in production, use and storage of hazardous chemicals that are approved to be established by the administration of work safety at the provincial level can also apply for the road transport of dangerous goods but for self-serving and non-commercial purpose. The application procedures are shown in the following figure:
Consignors of dangerous goods must entrust a licensed transportation company and keep the record of the categories and amount of dangerous goods carried and the consignor’s basic information for at least 1 year.
It is also required for companies to have their dangerous goods properly packed and correctly labeled and pass the information, such as shipping name, quantity, hazard and emergency response measures to the consignors.
The classification, name and coding of the goods shall be in line with serials of national standards such as “List of Dangerous Goods” (GB 12268-2012), “Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods” (GB 6944-2012) and “General Specifications for Transport Packages of Dangerous goods”(GB 12463-2009).
Corresponding labels and safety data sheets are indispensable for the hazardous chemicals.
