BADGP News Blog

We have now published the September 2025 edition of our Newsletter. For more details, please visit: BADGP Newsletters.

This edition includes the following articles:

I THOUGHT DG WEREN’T ALLOWED THROUGH THE CHANNEL TUNNEL?
BADGP member Ian Hancock and cargo securing specialist for Cordstrap UK discusses the common misconception that dangerous goods are not allowed through the channel tunnel. 

DENIAL AND DELAY
Dangerous Goods consignments sent by air from UK airports undergo x-ray screening to ensure that the cargo items do not contain any prohibited articles. This can be costly and add a time delay factor to the shipment especially where dense liquids are being shipped that cannot be effectively x-rayed. The only way to avoid the x-ray screening is to become a ‘known consignor’ under the UK’s Air Cargo Security Programme. BADGP member Jacob Sidebottom explains more about this process and in particular examines the issues of trying to ship radioactive material by air. 

THE HAZARDS OF UNPLANNED REACTIVITY WITHIN THE DG SUPPLY CHAIN
Ali Karim FRSC CChem provides BADGP members an insight into the dangers of unplanned reactivity when Oxygen [Class 2], Oxidising Agents [Class 5.1], Organic Peroxides [Class 5.2] come into contact with incompatible materials while in the Supply Chain.

MIXED PACKING
BADGP Committee and DGSA Trainer, Dan Lee cogitates on the subject of Mixed Packaging and presents the all too familiar information with some intriguing insights.

ADR AND AI
A timely few words of advice from BADGP Committee member, Dawn Kenyon, which I am sure we would do well to learn and quote verbatim when we are quizzed by those who believe that Artificial Intelligence will eventually replace the role of DGSA.

LITHIUM
To compliment the subject of our annual BADGP seminar this month we take a quick look at the element Lithium and explore some of its unusual properties, hazardous or otherwise.

SAFEGUARDING DANGEROUS GOODS TRANSPORT IN FRANCE: THE DGSA MISSION, TRAINING AND EXAM INSIGHTS
Martial Migné, ACSTMD, provides an introduction to the Conseillers à la Sécurité pour le Transport de Marchandises Dangereuses (CSTMD) (DGSA in English) and explains how they are pivotal in ensuring safe handling and transport of hazardous materials in France.

DANGEROUS GOODS IN E-COMMERCE: ARE AMAZON & ALIBABA COMPLYING WITH DG LAWS?
BADGP Amit Kumar, Bulk Tainer Logistics, discusses the hidden risks of mis-declared shipments in online retail.

WHY A DANGEROUS GOODS SAFETY ADVISOR WOULD CONDUCT DSEAR RISK ASSESSMENTS
BADGP Committee member Dawn Kenyon, RADCaT Ltd, explains why many DGSA's are broadening their remit to include risk assessments under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).

RQ RECEIVING ME?
A question raised in the BADGP Committee WhatsApp group prompted the need for many to understand the RQ arrangements when shipping dangerous goods to the USA. BADGP Committee member, Beccy Ricketts and Chairman of the Dangerous Goods Trainers Association, Jim Powell, have jointly penned this essential, must-read article for all BADGP members.

CASE STUDY: PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE ACTIVATION IN ANAEROBIC BIOMASS TANK STORAGE
A lessons learned report from BADGP member Amit Kumar, Bulk Tainer Logistics, highlighting the importance of proper filling limits and temperature control for gas-generating cargoes.

BADGP LITHIUM BATTERY SEMINAR – EVENT SUMMARY
Dawn Kenyon, RADCaT Ltd provides readers with an event summary from the recent BADGP Lithium Batteries Seminar.

WHO ARE YOU?
BADGP are pleased to introduce you to some of the well-known ‘names’ in the industry, while they share a little information about themselves and their lives in dangerous goods. This month we introduce Dan Lee.

BADGP WEBINARS & EVENTS
Information regarding our upcoming events.

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Details of upcoming events from our Partner Organisation CHCS.

Limited Quantities Training for Drivers

1. We are aware that some misleading information by various companies is being presented as a ‘new’ training compliance need following the closing of the training gap that existed between ADR 1.3, Training Requirements, ADR 3.4, Limited Quantities and ADR 8.2.3, Training of other personnel involved in the carriage of dangerous goods. This requirement has been clarified in ADR 2025.
   
   
2. The requirement for all employees of a company (undertaking) to receive training in both general awareness and function specific commensurate with the roles that they perform for that undertaking is not a new thing - this includes drivers who do not hold the ADR training certificate, loaders, unloaders, fillers etc.
   
   
3. It has come to our attention that some companies (undertakings) who employ drivers transporting dangerous goods below the ADR threshold values, or as Limited or Excepted Quantities, fail to provide them with the requisite knowledge to be able to deal with dangerous goods.
   
   
4. The recent tightening up of the statements in ADR, as quoted in paragraph 1 above, requires all companies to provide dangerous goods awareness and functional specific training which should include the subjects of Limited Quantities. Such training has to be recorded with suitable training records that must be kept for 6 years. All consignors, carriers and 3rd parties that engage driving services should, as part of their due diligence checks, confirm that any driver engaged with the transport of dangerous goods offered as Limited Quantities or at quantities below the ADR transport category thresholds, have received the required general and function specific training as detailed at ADR 1.3.
   
   
5. As far as we are aware there is no specific Limited Quantities training qualification or approved training body certificate that will prove that a person has reached a required level of knowledge and skill and that the inaccurate information that is currently being presented as fact, is misinformed.
   
   
6. Dangerous Goods training in both the awareness and function specific formats have always been a legal requirement under ADR within the UK. The recent misinformed call to alert non-compliant undertakings of a rule change, that has always been in existence, is further evidence that there are still a lot of people within the DG transport realm that have either received poor or no dangerous goods awareness or function specific training.
   
   
7. BADGP doesn’t conduct or endorse any dangerous goods training - but if we did, we would make sure that we got our facts right first.

BADGP Committee

IMO have published their most recent Current Awareness Bulletin (CAB - March 2025). This is full of information for those that dabble in the Dangerous Goods by Sea world and contains a list of maritime incidents where the North Sea collision incident features quite heavily. BADGP members can sign up to receive the CABs when they are published - we get them via the ICHCA emails and as the IMO are happy for their CAB’s to be shared we thought this would be an ideal document to enlighten you to the world of the IMO. Access the document here.

Rumour abounded last week that FedEx (UK) were requiring all transport documents submitted from consignors and freight forwarders  to fully comply with ADR 5.4.1.1.(f) Note 1 and provide details of the load as it relates to the transport category and single or mixed load calculations. BADGP have sought clarification from both FedEx(UK) and the competent authority as it has been understood that ‘Notes’ within ADR are provided for information and clarification but do not form part of the direction of the law. The HSE have confirmed that FedEx(UK) must comply with CDGTPE (ADR) and if they wish to add additional arrangements within the scope of ADR then that is their right to do so. 

BADGP therefore notifies all of its members and readers of this news alert that all future dealings with FedEx(UK) will require transport documents that fully comply with Note 1 of ADR 5.4.1.1.(f). This information should be added as part of the supplementary information to the required DG identifiers as stated at ADR 5.4.1.1. a,b,c,d,k. To date we know of no other carrier that is requiring full implementation of this particular ADR note. 

Company interpretations of ADR are not new - for example many carriers chose not to transport Class 1 and Class 7 goods owing to business insurance restrictions. BADGP are aware of another carrier that requires a signed transport document for UK mainland DG movements as part of the company DG policy.

All DG competent persons are reminded that full compliance of CDGTPE(ADR) is the required status - anything additional is accepted provided that it does not contradict the instructions within the aforementioned law not compromise the required safe transport risk controls.

The UK’s Maritime Accident Investigation Bureau (MAIB) have published an interim report on the Solong /Stena Immaculate collision last month. The report details the known facts at this time and show the course and position of the vessels prior to and at the time of the incident. The report also show bridge camera footage (three stills) from the Stena Immaculate which show the collision and more importantly the visibility available at the time. A full report will be made in due course. For those DG professionals who want to know how to write an incident report - this is a very good example. The facts are clearly stated and explained - no opinions or possible causes are mentioned.

We are delighted to announce that we have published the slides and recording of our webinar, "Changes to IMDG & IATA" 

Presented by:

BADGP members can access the content from the link on the Past Events page of this website.

Attention all UK organisations and businesses using DG by Air training.

The UK’s CAA has put out an email last week asking for any information relating to requests that are received from external parties to direct you to have only IATA DG by Air training certificates that have the valid IATA QR code printed thereon. 

There appears to be some issue in the USA that may spill over to the UK. The UK’s CAA are keen to nip this spill over potential in the bud and ask for notification should any approach be made to convince you to use certified IATA trainers and training providers only for DG by Air training compliance needs. The UK’s CAA directs and controls DG by Air training in the UK - not IATA.

If you are not comfortable contacting the DGO at UK’s CAA let us at BADGP know and we will use our channels to pass on the information.

We are delighted to announce that we have published the sides and recording of our webinar, "ADR 2025 - Overview of Upcoming Amendments"

Presented by:

Kevin Vagan, International Policy Advisor, Department for Transport

BADGP members can access the content from the link on the Past Events page of this website.

We have now published the September 2024 edition of our Newsletter. For more details, please visit: BADGP Newsletters.

This edition includes the following articles:

What a Day to Remember!
BADGP Committee member Dan Lee shares a review of the first National Dangerous Goods Awareness Day hosted by BADGP. This article provides some further information as to what it is all about and, more importantly, how you can get involved next year.

Mastering Dangerous Goods by Air
BADGP member Michael Childs, Mission Aircrew Instructor, Ascent Flight Training discusses their training programme for the safe and efficient transport of freight, including Dangerous Goods by Air.

Tragic Fire in Hanoi: The Hazards of Lithium Batteries
Truc Pham, JKP Aviation Academy discussed the hazards of lithium batteries and a tragic fire that happened in Hanoi, Vietnam in May 2024.

Updating the administration of the ADR scheme
Bob Hannigan, Head of National Standards and Accreditation, Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency explains the recent updates to the ADR scheme.

The use of “DGSA” as a post nominal (the ramblings of the disgruntled) and a suitable riposte
BADGP committee member Les Richings discussed the use of DGSA as a post nominal with an input from BADGP committee member Dan Lee.

Use of in-silico prediction models for Acute Toxicity(oral) data and how this impacts transport - hazard classification
BADGP member Gitanjali Nayar, Chemical Products Safety Manager - Novartis Pharmaceuticals explains the use of in-silico prediction models for Acute Toxicity(oral) data and how this impacts transport - hazard classification.

The Training Advisory Panel
Les Richings, BADGP committee member and of LRT Ltd provides an introduction to the Dangerous Goods Training Advisory Panel and information for anyone who would like to join the panel.

Training Advisory Panel (TAP) Meeting July 2024
BADGP Committee member Dan Lee was recently invited to attend the annual TAP (Training Advisory Panel) meeting and he has reproduced his notes taken during the meeting for review by BADGP Members.

Think of a Number
BADGP Committee Member Dan Lee, reproduces the script of the ‘Think of a Number’ film that was used in the recent BADGP National Dangerous Goods Awareness Day webinar. A small paragraph at the end of the script provides additional information that could not be edited into the film in time for broadcast.

Learning Lessons
Grahame Moody from Hazmat Logistics discusses if every disaster produces meaningful prevention methods.

Christina Evans
Christina became a member of BADGP as far back as 2013 and joined the committee in 2015. She is remembered for her boundless energy, great sense of humour and a laugh that lit up the room.

DG News
A round-up of what’s been happening since our last Newsletter in June 2024.

Who Are You?
BADGP are pleased to introduce you to some of the well-known ‘names’ in the industry, while they share a little information about themselves and their lives in dangerous goods. This month we introduce Dave Barrow.

BADGP Webinars And Events
Information regarding our upcoming events.

News From Our Partners
Details of upcoming events from our Partner Organisation CHCS.

We are delighted to announce that we have published the sides and recording of our webinar, "Dangerous Goods Enforcement" presented by:

• Elizabeth Shovelton Department for Transport, Deputy Divisional Manager, Dangerous Goods and Roadworthiness
  
  
• Ken Bickell, Hazken Training Limited and BADGP Committee Member
  
  
• Sgt Jason Dearsley, vice-chair National Carriage of Dangerous Goods Enforcement Forum (NCGDPF) and Essex Police commercial vehicle unit (CVU)
  

BADGP members can access the content from the link on the Past Events page of this website.