ADR Classes and ADR Transport
As a carrier, we transport all kinds of goods. In most cases, these are simple pallets loaded with customers’ products. These might be soft teddy bears, but not all goods are so safe and innocent. Certain types of goods carry risks. Examples include flammable products, explosive hazards, or chemical substances. These goods may not be transported without proper precautions. To keep the environment safe, you must deal with ADR Classes. You can read more about these ADR Classes in this blog!
ADR Meaning
ADR is the abbreviation for Accord relatif au transport international de marchandises Dangereuses par Route. If you don’t speak French: simply put, this means the transport of dangerous goods. ADR is the European treaty consisting of agreements and regulations. It is a classification regarding the transport of dangerous goods and substances by road.
ADR Rules
The ADR set of rules was compiled by the United Nations. These rules establish everything related to the transport of dangerous goods. For instance, there are rules on how substances must be transported, which markings are required on the truck, and which substances may be transported through which tunnels. The full set of rules can be found on the UNECE website.
Which documents do you need to transport to the UK?
The Brexit has made the answer to that question more difficult. This checklist makes transport and shipping to England EASY again!
ADR Classes and Stickers
There are 9 ADR classes in total, with classes 2, 4, 5, and 6 further divided into multiple hazard classes. The description of these ADR classes and hazard classes can be found below:
Class 1: Explosive substances and articles
This class mainly includes items such as fireworks, weapons, and ammunition. The primary danger is the risk of explosion. Class 1 is identifiable by a label. When explosive goods are being transported, they can be recognized by the following label:
Class 2: Gases
Class 2 concerns various types of gases. The main hazards are flammability, asphyxiation, corrosive substances, and toxic substances.
Class 2.1 Flammable gas
Gases that are flammable fall under class 2.1. You can recognize them by the red sign with a flame.
Class 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gas
Class 2.2 indicates gases that are neither flammable nor toxic. This is indicated by a green label with a gas cylinder on it:
Class 2.3 Toxic gas
Toxic gas also has its own subclass, namely ADR class 2.3. This is indicated by the skull and crossbones on a white sign.
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 3 contains liquids that can ignite under specific conditions. Flammability is therefore the main risk. The label below indicates these flammable liquids:
Class 4: Flammable solids
Like class 3, ADR class 4 classifies flammable substances. In this case, it concerns flammable solids. Class 4 is subdivided into three hazard classes:
Calculate your transport costs in under 2 minutes!
Do you want to know the costs of transporting your goods from A to B? The price calculator lets you calculate your transport costs. No more surprises for you!
Class 4.1: Flammable solids
Solids that ignite easily (due to friction). Substances in granular, powder, metal, or paste form. You can recognize these by the red and white striped label:
Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
These are substances that can ignite upon contact with oxygen in the air without an ignition source. These can be recognized by the red-white label:
Class 4.3: Substances which emit flammable gases in contact with water
Class 4.3 contains substances that develop flammable gases when in contact with water. The danger of gas formation and explosion is therefore present. You can recognize them by the blue label:
Class 5: Oxidizing substances
Class 5 contains oxidizing substances. This means these substances release oxygen, which can cause combustion in other substances. The substances themselves do not necessarily have to be flammable. Class 5 is also further subdivided into two hazard classes:
Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances
These are substances that are not flammable themselves but can cause the combustion of other substances. These substances have the following yellow label:
Class 5.2: Organic Peroxides
Organic peroxides are chemically unstable substances that can decompose themselves. They are mainly used as auxiliary materials for plastics. The substances can be corrosive and/or flammable. You can recognize them by the following label:
Class 6: Toxic substances
Toxic substances also have their own ADR class. This is further subdivided into classes 6.1 and 6.2.
Class 6.1: Toxic substances
Toxic substances refer to substances that harm human health or cause death upon inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. These are recognized by the label with a skull and crossbones, identical to the label belonging to class 2.3.
Class 6.2: Infectious substances
Class 6.2 classifies infectious substances that can cause disease in humans and/or animals. This also has a white label, recognizable by the logo you see in every sci-fi movie:
Class 7: Radioactive substances
Class 7 includes substances with the property of spontaneously emitting energy in the form of invisible radiation, i.e., radioactive substances. You will also see this logo in movies from time to time. It indicates that goods are radioactive:
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Corrosive substances are chemical substances that attack the skin or mucous membranes, such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. Acids are recognized by the following label. It shows that a corrosive substance is being transported:
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
Class 9 is essentially the “miscellaneous” category. This concerns substances that pose hazards during transport but do not fall under the description of any of the other classes.
These are given the following label:
ADR Numbers
To indicate certain ADR classes and dangerous substances, we use various numbers in the industry. The most important ones can be found below.
Kemler Plate
The Kemler plate, also called a UN plate, is not really a number in itself, of course. This plate serves as a warning sign on trucks to indicate the dangerous substances being transported in the trailer. It is an orange plate, divided into two sections by a black line. The UN number is found in the bottom section. The top section is used to indicate the HIN (Hazard Identification Number) or Kemler Code.
UN Number
A UN number is the classification number of a dangerous substance, also known as a substance identification number. It is a four-digit number that classifies the substance according to the guidelines established by the United Nations (UN).
The UN number is recognized worldwide and is even a requirement in most countries for the transport of dangerous goods. This number must be on the outside of the goods’ packaging and be clearly visible.
Transports to England complicated? No way!
The Brexit has made transports to and from the UK more difficult. This road map makes your transports to the England EASY again!
A number of common dangerous goods and substances have their own UN number. All other types are assigned a UN number belonging to the overarching category they fall under. These latter numbers can be recognized by the mention of “N.O.S.” (not otherwise specified) after the number.
HIN Number
HIN stands for Hazard Identification Number (GEVI-nummer). While the UN number indicates which substance is being transported, the HIN shows which specific hazard is associated with it. The first digit in the number indicates the primary hazard. If the second digit is the same as the first, it means that the primary hazard is intensified.
EASY Road Transport and ADR Classes
Are you looking for a partner to transport your ADR goods? We are happy to help you find the best way to get your goods from A to B. Please contact us; we are happy to help!
Calculate your transport costs in under 2 minutes!
Do you want to know the costs of transporting your goods from A to B? The price calculator lets you calculate your transport costs. No more surprises for you!
ADR Data on a CMR Consignment Note
When filling in ADR data on a CMR consignment note, it is important to include specific information about the dangerous substances. This includes the UN number, the proper shipping name, the label number, the packing group, and the tunnel code. Additionally, you must also state the quantity of dangerous goods and the names and addresses of the sender and recipient. The document must be drawn up in the official language of the sending country and in an international language (English, French, or German). This information must be legible and displayed in the correct order.
ADR Regulations During the Transport of Dangerous Goods
It is mandatory for vehicles exporting dangerous goods to have specific equipment. This is necessary to manage incidents. This includes fire extinguishers, such as a cab extinguisher of at least 2 kilograms of powder and additional extinguishing agents depending on the mass of the transport unit. Furthermore, equipment for general and personal protection must be present, including warning vests, eye protection, and escape masks for certain substances. For specific hazard labels, extra items such as a shovel and a collecting container are required. Some exceptions apply for transport under the 1000-point rule.
Exemptions from ADR Regulations During Transport
Within the ADR regulations, there are various exemptions for the transport of dangerous goods by road. Private individuals transporting dangerous goods for their own use are exempt, provided the substances are properly packaged and leakage is prevented. Companies may be exempt if the transport is ancillary to their main activities, such as transport for construction. Exemptions also apply to certain gases and liquid fuels, provided they meet specific conditions. Additionally, there are exemptions for limited quantities and under the 1000-point rule for packaged goods.