Updated Safety Marks
Reliable sources have indicated that the December 2012 proposal to overhaul placarding and other safety markings is expected to be published in the Canada Gazette Part II on Wednesday, July 2, 2014.
This amendment is intended to improve the harmonization between the marking requirements in the Canadian TDGR (Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations) and the various current international (UN Recommendations, 49CFR, ICAO, and IMDG) regulations.
Significant Changes
Although not an exhaustive list, significant changes, based on the original Gazette I notice, include: introduction of defined “overpacks” and their markings, implications in the LQ (“Limited Quantity”) provisions, etc.; phasing out of the older Class 5.2, LQ, Marine Pollutant, Fumigation marks in favor of the international versions; relaxation of the need to remove safety marks while any quantity of DG remain; completely re-working the Part 4.15 placarding requirements, including severely restricting the use of the “Danger” placard (e.g. only for loads of “small means of containment”), limiting the 500 kg exemption options; allowing the use of 2 placards or 4 labels (with UN #s) on IBC (“intermediate bulk containers”) totes; adding a requirement to mark “toxic-inhalation hazard” on Special Provision 23 DG packages; and other changes.
Word has it that the amendment will take effect July 14, although (again based on the original proposal) there may be transitional provisions for some aspects.
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