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BEAT THE CLOCK REPORT • BADGP’S ANNUAL SEMINAR OFFERED ITS USUAL MIX OF REGULATORY UPDATES AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS OF IMPORTANCE TO DGSAS, TRAINERS AND OTHER EXPERTS
there will need to be some technical updates to UK legislation. These are scheduled to appear in the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.
The British Association of Dangerous Goods Professionals (BADGP) held its 2020 AGM and annual seminar this past 12 March. With the coronavirus epidemic beginning to spread, there were several apologies for absence, although some 80 members made the trip to the Windmill Village Hotel in Coventry to hear what the presenters had to say before the lockdown, in support of BADGP’s mission to provide information and guidance to all those involved in the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail, sea and air.
Helen North, head of frameworks and engagement at the Dangerous Goods Division of the UK Department for Transport (DfT), highlighting upcoming regulatory changes. Helen’s team includes engineers and researchers who engage with industry and who guide domestic transport legislation. All team members are now required to qualify as Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs). Helen’s team is also responsible for negotiating at international meetings on behalf of the UK. She noted that, of the 267
LOOKING AFTER BREXIT One example of the changes that will be needed regards the marking of UK-manufactured transportable pressure equipment. Post-Brexit, the UK will no longer be able to use the EU’s ‘pi’ mark, mandated under the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED). A UK equivalent mark will be needed: it has been suggested that the UK uses the next letter in the Greek alphabet after pi, rho – though rumours that this suggestion came from Roh Hathlia, head of the Dangerous Goods Division, remain unconfirmed. After the Brexit process is complete, the UK will not have automatic access to the European Commission, so a new CDG (Derogation) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 will be needed
It was appropriate, therefore, that the seminar began with a presentation from
papers submitted to the UN Sub-committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG), WP15 and other bodies, 32 – or 12 per cent – were submitted by the UK. Helen reassured the audience that the UK will maintain the status quo ante as regards the application of ADR after Brexit; however,
to enable the UK to apply to the Commission for approved derogations from ADR. It is intended that all derogations will be timelimited. One item on the agenda will be temporary derogations to help deal with the shortage of drivers as a result of Covid-19 during the Brexit transition period, to maintain
DFT’S ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON SEVERAL ISSUES RELATING TO ROAD TANKER SAFETY
HCB MONTHLY | MAY 2020
