Carriage of dangerous goods by road

In general, "dangerous goods" refers to materials that, when transported, are likely to cause harm to people, property, or the environment. The most well-known examples are often flammable or corrosive goods, or those that can harm aquatic life.

The transport of dangerous goods, due to the fact that it takes place on public roads, its possible proximity to inhabited areas, and the media coverage of certain accidents, raises legitimate fears of accidents among the general public.

However, the degree of exposure of the population to these transports is actually much lower than the feared risks: the number of accidents involving vehicles transporting hazardous materials, resulting in either a leak of the material being transported, a fire, or bodily injury, averages around 160 incidents per year in France (source: MTES/DGPR/BARPI (Aria database), July 2018).

The transport of dangerous goods is subject to very strict regulatory requirements for each mode of transport (road, rail, river, sea, and air). Business leaders involved in the transport of dangerous goods are strongly encouraged not to ignore their obligations in this area:

• The carrier and the principal are jointly liable for any infringements detected, even if the breaches were committed without the principal's knowledge.

• The business owner employing any employees injured during the transport or preparation of goods for transport will also, as an employer, be held liable for their obligation to ensure safety in the workplace in the event of an accident.

• Finally, the fact that accidents may occur on public roads necessarily leads to a greater risk of media exposure than if they occurred on company premises.

On the road, transport must therefore be carried out in accordance with the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, known as ADR, supplemented, for provisions specific to France, by the amended decree of May 29, 2009, known as "TMD" (transport of dangerous materials).

First published in 1947, the regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials cover all stages involved in transporting goods presenting particular hazards from point A to point B: classification of the goods, type of container suitable for preventing any leakage of material during transport and how this container should be constructed, associated labeling and placarding, documents and equipment to be carried on board the vehicle during transport, specific rules for loading and unloading, etc.

Developed by the Interministerial Commission for the Transport of Dangerous Goods (CITMD),...