WHAT IS ADR?
The ADR or European Agreement on the international transport of dangerous cargoes by land is a European agreement signed by several countries in Geneva on September 30, 1957 to regulate the transport of dangerous goods by road.
The ADR was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations Organization and governs in Spain by the accession made on October 19, 1972. In addition to most of the European countries, it has also been signed by Asian and North African countries. The last published revision came into force in 2017 and biennial reviews are planned in odd-numbered years.
The agreement regulates the packaging, transport, documentation and other aspects of road transport of dangerous goods, including the loading, unloading and storage of the same, whether the transport is carried out between several countries or within the territory of only one. An important aspect is the determination of the obligations and responsibilities of each one of the intervenors in the operations in order to try to avoid damages to people and things like protecting the environment.
The regulation contains a detailed list with epigraphs for most of the goods considered dangerous (coded according to a numbering established by the UN) and the regulatory requirements that apply to each case.
The regulation affects both those directly involved in transport and the manufacturers of elements and materials related to transport, packaging and handling of dangerous goods.
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