Instruments governing the safe transport of dangerous goods
(Last revised: April 2, 1999)

International Instruments

The United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN ECOSOC). "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods". 10th revised edition, 1997.
Concerns the transport by road, rail, see or air of dangerous goods, including biological substances.

UN European Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR Agreement, Geneva, 1957). Latest text version: 1999.

Convention concerning the International Carriage by Rail (COTIF). Latest text version: 1997.
This convention defines uniform rules concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA). "Dangerous Goods Regulations", 40th edition, 1999.
Controls the shipment by air of dangerous substances, including biological substances.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). "ICAO Technical Instructions", made legally binding by Annex 18 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the "Chicago Convention") of which Annex 18 is Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, amplified by Technical Instructions on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods, 1984. Latest edition: 1999.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO, London). "International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code", made legally binding through Regulation VII/1.4 of SOLAS Convention (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), 1974. Latest edition: 1995.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU): "Manual of the Universal Postal Convention", 1995.
Lays down detailed regulations for the transport of biological substances by post/mail.

European Union Instruments

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 97/34/EC of 6 June 1997 amending Council Directive 93/75/EEC concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods.
(OJ L 158, 17.6.1997, p.40)

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 96/87/EC of 13 December 1996, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 96/49/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail.
(OJ L 335, 24.12.1996, p.45; Annexes to be published)

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 96/86/EC of 13 December 1996, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 94/55/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road.
(OJ L 335, 24.12.1996, p.43; Annexes to be published)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 96/49/EC of 23 July 1996, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail.
(OJ L 235, 17.9.1996, p.25; Annexes to be published)

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 96/39/EC of 19 June 1996 amending Council Directive 93/75/EEC concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods.
(OJ L 196, 7.8.1996, p.7)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 96/35/EC of 3 June 1996 on the appointment and vocational qualification of safety advisers for the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail and inland waterway.
(OJ L 145, 19.6.1996, p.10)

Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by inland waterway.
(To be presented in 1997)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 95/50/EC of 6 October 1995 on uniform procedures for checks on the transport of dangerous goods by road.
(OJ L 249, 17.10.1995, p.35)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 91/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport.
(OJ L 148, 30.6.1995, p.52)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 94/55/EC of 21 November 1994, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road.
(OJ L 319, 12.12.1994, p.7; Annexes published in OJ L 275, 28.10.96)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/75/EC of 13 September 1993, concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods.
(OJ L 247, 5.10.1993, p.19)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991, on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC.
(OJ L 340, 11.12.1991, p.17)

Other Instruments

European Culture Collections' Organization (ECCO). "Shipping of Non-infectious, Infectious and Genetically Modified Microorganisms; International Regulations", 1995.

The World Health Organization (WHO). "Guidelines for the Safe Transport of Infectious Substances and Diagnostic Specimens", 1997. (Downloadable as a PDF File from the WHO Web Site)

The World Health Organization (WHO). "Laboratory Biosafety Manual", 1993.
Contains guidelines for the shipment of certain kinds of biological substances.