During the 18th China International Chemical Industry Fair (ICIF) held in Shanghai this week, Mr. Peng Jianhua from the Ministry of Transport reviewed the Regulations Concerning Road Transportation of Dangerous Goods (JT/T 617 series; see ChemLinked translation of JT/T 617.1 [1], JT/T 617.5 [2], JT/T 617.6 [3], and JT/T 617.7 [4]) as well as the effects of its implementation at a concurrent session of the event.
Mr. Peng noted that the JT/T 617 series has demonstrated some remarkable advantages over previous regulations or standards in this regard. For instance, it explicitly specifies the responsibilities of different parties (like those of shippers, carriers, packers, etc.) in the road transport of dangerous goods, adopts a refined categorization system for dangerous goods, and provides more stringent requirements for risk control, packaging, transport documents, vehicle selection and so forth. It has been proved in practice that, with such arrangements in place, the JT/T 617 series can ensure the smooth implementation of the regulatory framework and enable safer and more convenient road transport of dangerous goods.
Besides its impacts on manufacturers and transport businesses, the JT/T 617 series is also affecting the institutional work of relevant regulatory authorities and industry associations. According to Mr. Peng, after JT/T 617 regulations were unveiled in November 2018, several official documents have been devised or revised using the series as a reference, including the Measures for Safety Administration of Road Transport of Dangerous Goods (see ChemLinked news on its third draft [5])which is expected to be officially published soon. Meanwhile, under the framework of JT/T 617 regulations, the Provisions on the Administration of the Road Transport of Dangerous Goods (see ChemLinked translation [6]) will be revised this year as well.
Mr. Peng underlined the role of JT/T 617 regulations as a cornerstone in the overarching system governing road transport of dangerous goods in China, suggesting that enterprises should enhance their understanding of the series and stay tuned for any regulatory update so as to ensure their regulatory compliance.
