Dangerous Goods Regulations Changes for 2025: 5 Things to Look out For

Dangerous Goods Regulations Changes for 2025: 5 Things to Look out For

In 2025 we will see the introduction of new regulations for the carriage of dangerous goods by air, road and sea.

As always, the changes will vary in relevance to every shipper. Here are five of the key changes we’ve identified so far:

1. Changes to documentation requirements for ADR shipmentsVehicles carrying ADR loads will now have to carry documents in the driver’s cab. Previously the requirement under ADR 8.1 stated documents should be carried on the ‘transport unit’. In practical terms this may cause a headache for some as consignors today will often attach documents to packages. Mandatory from July 2025, shippers will have to make sure the driver is given a copy of the dangerous goods document for every consignment on the vehicle, in addition to other documents such as instructions in writing.
2. Mandated driver training for limited quantities carriersDrivers carrying dangerous goods in limited quantities must have a training certificate. There is set to be an additional requirement under the LQ provisions (ADR 3.4), to include the application of ADR 8.2.3, mandating personnel involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by road in LQ to have a training certificate.

   Currently there is a little wiggle room in the regulations as vehicle crew training is not specifically referred to as a requirement for limited quantities transport. This change makes clear the requirement for training of vehicle crew and drivers of all vehicles ‘involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by road.’

3. 11 new UN Numbers11 new UN Numbers have been introduced into the regulations. From Vehicle, lithium ion battery powered (UN 3556) through to Fire suppressant dispersing devices (UN 0514), and Disilane (UN 3353). If you have any involvement in shipping batteries or fire extinguishers, it’s worth checking whether any of the new UN numbers apply to you.
4. Sodium Ion Batteries – new Packing InstructionsSodium ion batteries are another area where we’re seeing several new UN numbers enter the regulations. These will include Sodium ion batteries (UN 3551), Sodium ion batteries contained in / packed with equipment (UN 3552) and Vehicle, sodium ion battery powered (UN 3558). To go with those UN numbers there are also new packaging instructions for all modes of transport. Worth reviewing if you are already using sodium ion batteries or are looking at how they can be used in your products or operations in the future.
5. State of charge changesThe requirement to ship lithium ion batteries (UN 3480) with a state of charge of no more than 30% is set to be expanded to include lithium ion batteries packed with equipment and vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries. This will be recommended for 2025, before becoming mandatory from 1 January 2026. This will create a number of challenges for shippers, and it will be interesting to see how organisations make the necessary changes to their supply chain processes.

In addition to these changes, there are also set to be 13 new special provisions under the ADR regulations, and a further 30 special provisions will see changes and amendments. Whether you are shipping chemicals, infectious substances or batteries, it is worth checking if your operations are affected.

We’re still working our way through all the expected changes and will be presenting them in our update seminars running throughout late 2024. The goal of these sessions is to provide customers with a wide overview of the most significant changes to the regulations so they can understand how new updates impact operations, and crucially adapt their processes and workflows in time.

The cost is £120 + VAT and places can be booked on our website here.