The United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) is holding their 61st Session November 28 – December 6, 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland. There are 32 formal and 54 informal papers submitted for discussion as of Day 5. This session is the final of four sessions during the 2021-2022 biennium.
All daily sessions are to be held formally (interpreted). Therefore, papers are to be reviewed as listed on the agenda (INF.2) and final decisions will be taken when appropriate.
This summary is provided to assist you in following the discussions of the papers and is not intended as a full summary of document that was presented. Links to individual papers are provided to allow you to read the papers directly. Note that the Official report of the session will be made available by the UN Secretariat 3-4 weeks after the session concludes.
Day 5 – Discussion of Papers
2022/74 (COSTHA); INF.52 (COSTHA) Increase of the limited quantity volume for Division 2.2 compressed gases – COSTHA presented INF.52 that addressed the comments received earlier in the session. They mad a minor verbal modification to address units. The US added that while this special provision is authorizing limited quantities for the four subject gases, the pressure receptacles contained within will remain subject to specification per P200. Thus they supported the proposal as amended. Canada and Belgium also supported the proposal. Belgium added that information should be added to the Guiding Principles. The Netherlands continued their opposition to the paper voicing concerns for maritime safety. Spain did not believe the proposal was appropriate for vessel or air transport. By a majority vote, the proposal in INF.52 was adopted as amended.
2022/73 (COSTHA); INF.53 (COSTHA); INF.53/Rev. 1 (COSTHA) Fire suppression devices that contain a pyrotechnic material – After collecting comments from many delegations, COSTHA presented a revised proposal in INF.53. The order of the information was modified verbally after receiving late comments from delegations. France supported the proposal but noted a difference in the wording of XYZ and XZZ. Belgium agreed with France on the need for editorial amendment. AEISG questioned the need for the means of activation to be removed. The US supported the proposal. Sweden indicated their concerns had been addressed in the revised text. Spain offered support for the proposal. France offered alternate language to address the means of activation. DGAC and France commented that the need for an approval for Class 9 may not need to be stated in the special provision. But France shared the added text was compromise language. Germany confirmed they preferred to maintain the approval text. Based on the comments, COSTHA revised the proposal and presented revised text in INF.53/Rev.1. France, Canada, the US, Finland, Belgium, Spain, and Sweden supported the proposal with minor editorial amendments. By a majority vote, the Subcommittee agreed to the proposal in INF.53/Rev.1 as amended over the microphone.
INF.50 (USA) Dangerous Goods Public Awareness Campaign “Check the Box” launched by U.S. Department of Transportation – The US shared their efforts to draw awareness to undeclared dangerous goods with their “Check the Box” campaign. They introduced the Subcommittee to HazMatt and encouraged delegations to review and share other outreach initiatives. RPMASA strongly encouraged the initiative and indicated their efforts are covered in INF.55. No proposals were discussed.
2022/68 (Netherlands); 2022/72 (Cefic, DGAC); INF.19 (Netherlands); INF.21 (Cefic, DGAC); INF.54 (Cefic, DGAC) Revision of the classification of tetramethylammonium hydroxide – DGAC noted efforts to find a full consensus from previous discussions proved difficult. Instead, they presented a revised proposal in INF.54 that accounted for many of the issues raised by delegations. Minor editorial amendments were added over the microphone. The Netherlands agreed with the concentration limits presented for PG I and II noting they are now based on human experience, not animal testing. But the new PG III concentration remains based on animal testing and therefore did not follow the principles of classification. They voiced concern for other parts of the proposal and did not support INF.54. Spain agreed with the Netherlands in opposition to the proposal. The US supported the proposal as drafted. Belgium and Canada supported the proposal as drafted. IATA added an editorial amendment. The Subcommittee discussed ways to address the remaining gaps. Based on the discussion, the Subcommittee agreed to the proposal by a majority vote
2022/70 (IATA); INF.45 (UK); INF.51 (IATA); INF.51/Rev.1 (IATA) Assignment of a new UN number to lithium battery powered vehicles – IATA presented some final modifications to the special provision regarding sodium ion batteries installed in vehicles. With no objection, the Subcommittee agreed with the proposals with minor editorial amendments.
2022/61 (United States of America); INF.56 (USA) Transport of certain ALKALI METAL DISPERSIONS (UN 1391) and ALKALI METAL DISPERSIONS, FLAMMABLE (UN 3482) in portable tanks – The US presented a revised INF addressing comments received on the assignment of tank provisions to the entries. Canada and Sweden supported the proposal. The Subcommittee approved the proposals as drafted.
2022/69 (ICPP, ICIBCA) Proposal to permit increased use of recycled plastics material to attain ECOSOC 2030 Goals; 2022/71 (Belgium); INF.57 (Belgium) Amending the definition of recycled plastics material – Belgium presented a revised proposal on the use of recycled plastics based on Proposal 2 of 2022/71. This included introduction of the term “plastics material”, reference to homogenous mixtures, using “prior use” in conjunction with “prior contents”, and other modifications. Canada and the US supported the proposal as drafted. The Subcommittee adopted the proposal in INF.57.
Review of the Programme of work for the biennium 2023-2024 – The Subcommittee discussed planned agenda items for the 2023-2024 biennium. The Subcommittee discussed the benefit adding an agenda item on how the Subcommittee conducts work. Many delegations took the opportunity to share benefits of the hybrid sessions, chat functions, etc. The following changes were adopted:
Removed
- Review of packing instructions for explosives
- Limited quantities for division 2.2
Added
- Electrification of liquid fuels and how they will impact transportation
- UN Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals
- Discussions on how the Subcommittee conducts work
Election of Officers – The Subcommittee agreed to re-elect the Chairman (Duane Pfund) and Vice-Chairman (Claude Pfauvadel) through the 2023-2024 biennium. Mr. Pfauvadel indicated they would be retiring at the end of 2023 but would be very happy to continue through the end of next year.
INF.12 (Secretariat) Draft Resolution 2023/… of the Economic and Social Council – The Secretariat discussed the draft Resolution for the Subcommittee to ECOSOC. They noted the next revision of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria will be the 8th Edition, not an amendment. No proposals were considered.
INF.29 (IVODGA) Industry guidelines for warehouses storing, handling, and consolidating dangerous goods – IVODGA shared with the Subcommittee the warehouse white paper developed by ICHCA, IVODGA, NCB, and WSC on the storage, handling, and consolidating dangerous goods. The document provided links to the document and IVODGA encouraged delegations to share the information contained within freely. The Subcommittee thanked IVODGA for sharing. No proposals were considered.
End of Day 5
