Transport Canada Unveils New Portal, “TDG Online”
Transport Canada has announced the creation of a new online portal for various needs of Canadian consignors and carriers of dangerous goods under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR). Eventually, this should serve as a “one stop shop” for many tasks that today have to be done using many different means. Consisting of the portal itself and various web apps accessible through the portal, this will make dangerous goods management much more convenient.
How Do You Set Up the Portal?
The portal’s hub can be found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/tdg-online. Right now, it’s pretty barebones, but it’s intended to grow over time.
Currently there are two functions available. The first is registering your company or organization. To do this, you can follow the guide at https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/tdg-online/user-guide-setting-your-accounts. You’ll need to log in with a “GCKey” (government of Canada key), much the same as you would use to pay your income tax online. You can use your organization’s banking account to help set up this key, and you’ll need your CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) number, so you’ll probably have to get information from your accounting department. You should also be prepared to provide your NAICS (North American Industry Classification Code) number.
For security, you are advised to set up two-factor authentication. You will also have to set up two contacts within your organization who have the authority to use the portal or make changes to information.
What Can the Portal Do?
Right now, there’s only one function, but it’s a useful one. Using the portal, you can register with the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre, CANUTEC. This will allow your organization to use them as a 24-hour emergency telephone number for TDGR purposes. While it isn’t mandatory to use CANUTEC for this, the service is free for Canadian consignors.
The portal will allow you to register your organization with CANUTEC, set out emergency contacts within your organization and upload all SDSs covered by the registration.
Other apps and services are expected to be added after the portal has been established for a while. For example, you would be able to apply for permits (equivalency certificates) and approvals for emergency response assistance plans through the portal. It would also likely be linked to the portal for site registration required by the new TDGR Part 17.
Conclusions
The TDG Online portal should serve to streamline management and paperwork requirements for administering your organization’s dangerous goods program. It will be interesting to see what other apps and functions will be added to it over time.
Looking for a “one stop shop” for supplies for dangerous goods shipments and regulatory guidance? Contact ICC Compliance Center 1-888-442-9628 (U.S.) or 1-888-977-4834 (Canada) or check us out at www.thecompliancecenter.com/ca/.
Contact Us
Do you have any questions about upcoming regulatory change in Canada or the United States? Our team of experts is just a call away for our customers at 855.734.5469 or send us an email, we’re happy to help. We can advise you how to comply with current and upcoming regulations.
Stay up to date and sign up for our newsletter!
We have all the products, services, and training you need to ensure your staff is properly trained and informed.
 Glass Shipping Kits |
 Canadian TDG Publications |
 Placards |
References:
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Online, https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/tdg-online
Revenue Canada, “When you need a business number or Canada Revenue Agency program accounts,” https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/you-need-a-business-number-a-program-account.html
Statistics Canada, “North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2017 Version 3.0,” https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=1181553
Transport Canada, “Application for an Equivalency or Temporary Certificate,” https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/application-equivalency-temporary-certificate
