The IMDG is the international code that governs the transport of dangerous goods by sea.
IMDG = International Maritime Dangerous Goods
It is published every two years by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
It includes all the necessary information such as classification, use of packaging, marking/labeling, placarding, mandatory documents as well as loading/unloading conditions for dangerous goods.
💡Several codes and conventions also regulate shipping.
Here are some examples:
- The SOLAS Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
- The MARPOL convention for the prevention of marine pollution
- ISPS for port security
- The Basel Convention on the shipment of waste
In addition to these international codes, there are national and local regulations.
When am I affected by IMDG regulations?
The IMDG code applies to all transport of dangerous goods by sea.
The respect of this international code makes it possible to take into account the particularities of maritime transport such as the climatic conditions and the time of transport and thus to avoid the accidents.
What documents are required?
Two documents are necessary and must be sent to your freight forwarder to transport your dangerous goods: the MSDS and the DGD.
The MSDS (Master Security Data Sheet) contains all the information you need to know about the product. You will find, for example, recommendations for storage and handling or first aid measures.
The specificities related to transport are indicated in section 14 "Transport Information". The requirements of the international ADR, IATA and IMDG codes are specified therein.
It is also specified whether the product is a marine pollutant or not, essential information for the labelling of the container.
The DGD (Dangerous Goods Declaration) is mandatory. It is a document specific to the transport of dangerous goods.
The IMDG does not impose a form or color but mandatory mentions. The English language is not mandatory according to the IMDG code, but in fact, shipping companies only accept DGDs filled out in English so that their agents at destination can read them.
What are the mandatory mentions?
- name and address of the sender
- name and address of the recipient
- official designation of the goods
- number and type of packages
- gross and net weight
- container number, type, tare, lead number, VGM
- emergency number
- complete and sign the potting certificate
- name, date and signature of the sender
- Sender's Declaration: "I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by the proper shipping name(s), and are classified, packaged, marked and labeled/placarded, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport according to applicable international and national governmental regulations."
On the process side, your freight forwarder will send the MSDS and provisional DGD to the shipping company for acceptance of the dangerous goods at the time of booking.
Once the container has been loaded, the final DGD must be completed, signed and sent to the shipping company.
General information on container Labelling
Labelling a container is the action of sticking on it the labels corresponding to the dangerous goods transported. In this way, the dangerous container is visible to everyone.
Labelling containers often raises questions, here are some rules to follow.
- The container packer is responsible for labeling
- Labels must be present on all 4 sides of the container
- If you have several dangerous classes in the container, you must label it for each class
- If your product is a marine pollutant, this label must also be added to the container
If your warehouse does not have a label for the containers, inform your freight forwarder before loading, he will be able to offer you solutions.
💡For each mode of transport, there is a code governing the transport of dangerous goods:
- ADR - Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
- IATA - International Air Transport Association - Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by air
- RID - Railway regulation on the transport of dangerous goods
- ADN - Regulations on the transport of dangerous goods by waterway
Glossary :
Positioning: Loading and pickup of the container at the warehouse
VGM: Verified Gross Mass. The declaration of the verified gross mass is mandatory for all containers since 2016.
