EUROPEAN CONTROL ON DANGER GOODS THIS YEAR
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Dangerous goods, in the sense in which the term is used in this Agreement, constitute a large and increasing proportion of United Kingdom exports. It is thus important to ensure that such goods are packed and carried in a manner which will be acceptable for transport on the Continent, warns the Home Office.
The parties to the Agreement undertake that the road transport of dangerous goods among their common territories will be permitted provided that the packages and vehicles in which the goods are carried comply with the provisions of the Agreement.
The Agreement contains a requirement that tank vehicles and vehicles intended for the carriage of explosives shall, if they are to be used for international transport, be subject to technical inspection in their country of registration to ensure that they conform both to the provisions of the Agreement relating to the construction of vehicles and to the general safety regulations (covering such matters as brakes and lighting) in force in their country of origin.
Under the terms of the Agreement the term "tank vehicle" applies only to vehicles with fixed tanks intended for the carriage of liquids Or gases.
When a vehicle has been approved, it will be provided with a special certificate issued by the "competent authority"--in the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Transport—which will be accepted, for the duration of its validity by the "competent authorities" of other 'countries which are parties to the Agreement. Certificates of approval will be renewable annually.
In the case of vehicles intended for the carriage of explosives the examination will be carried out by Ministry of Transport vehicle examiners. In the case of tank vehicles, however, the technical examination will be carried out by one of the inspecting authorities approved by the Home Office, and the Ministry of Transport will be concerned only to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy.
Vehicle operators will therefore have to arrange for tanks to be tested by one of the approved inspecting authorities before applying to the Ministry of Transport for a certificate of approval.
Further details of the provisions of the Agreement may be obtained from G2 Division of the Home Office, Whitehall, SW1.