Notice

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Clear Language Regulations

Introduction

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) have recently undergone an extensive review and revision. This process, called the "Clear Language Project", has resulted in the development of new Regulations that will affect those who handle, offer for transport, transport or import dangerous goods by all modes of transport, including air. 

These Regulations were published in Canada Gazette, Part II, August 15, 2001, and come into force on August 15, 2002. 

Scope

For those of you who are responsible for the handling, offering for transport, transporting or importing into Canada of dangerous goods by air, please note that Part 12 of the Regulations encompasses all of the relevant air requirements and is divided into the following sections:

Background

There are many air carriers who delegate to third parties some of the duties that are assigned to them in the ICAO Technical Instructions and in this Part.

There is nothing in these Regulations that hinders this practice but it should be noted by air carriers that delegating responsibility for certain duties does not include delegating liability for those duties. This means that if an air carrier contracts a third party to provide, for example, cargo handling, acceptance or loading activities, the approval program for training mandated by the ICAO Technical Instructions and carried out by the Civil Aviation Directorate, Transport Canada, applies to those third party activities.

International and Domestic Transport by Aircraft

Section 12.1 - General Requirements

• International and Domestic Transport of Dangerous Goods by air will continue to be subject mainly to the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions (ICAO TI's). 

Section 12.2 Shipping Document 

• The format of the Shipper's Declaration from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations continues to be prescribed for the air dangerous goods transport document. 

Section 12.3 - Information to Pilot-in-Command 

• A dedicated form for the Notification to Pilot-in-Command (NOTOC) continues to be required. 

Domestic Transport by Aircraft 

Section 12.4 - Explosives, Class 1.4S 

• Cartridges; UN0012, UN0014, UN0055, UN0323 and UN0405, may be transported in accordance with the provisions of this section. 

Section 12.5 - Forbidden Explosives 

• Specific Explosives identified in the ICAO TI's, Table 3-1, Dangerous Goods List, (Columns 9 to 12), as 'Forbidden' may be transported in accordance with the provisions of this section. 

Section 12.6 - Handling and Transporting of Toxic and Infectious Substances 

• Toxic or infectious substances may be stowed adjacent to foodstuffs or animals in accordance with the provisions of this Section. 

Section 12.7 - Infectious Substances: General

• The risk group of an Infectious Substance may be shown adjacent to the Proper Shipping Name instead of the Technical Name in accordance with the provisions of this section. 

Section 12.8 - Packing Instructions 910 

• "Consumer commodities" may be transported in accordance with the provisions of this Section. 

Section 12.9 - Limited Access 

• Dangerous goods may be transported to or from a location where access is limited in accordance with the provisions of this Section. 

Section 12.10 - Private Aircraft 

• Dangerous Goods for non-commercial recreational use may be transported in accordance with the provisions of this Section. 

Section 12.11 - Geological Core Samples 

• Geological core samples of 100 mm or less in diameter that contain dangerous goods may be transported in accordance with the provisions of this Section. 

Section 12.12 - Aerial Work 

• Dangerous goods used in active fire suppression, aerial cloud seeding, aerial drip torching, agriculture, avalanche control, forestry, horticulture, hydrographic and seismographic work, or pollution control may be transported in accordance with this Section. 

Section 12.13 - Measuring Instruments 

• Measuring instruments that contain dangerous goods may be transported in accordance with this Section.

 Section 12.14 - Medical Aid

• Dangerous goods that are to be used or parts of which have been used for in-flight medical aid to a patient may be transported in accordance with this Section. 

Section 12.15 - Air Ambulance 

• Dangerous goods that are to be used or parts of which have been used for in-flight medical aid on board an air ambulance dedicated and configured for the transport of patients may be transported in accordance with this Section. 

Section 12.16 - Emergency Response 

• Dangerous goods used for search and rescue operations or emergency response may be transported in accordance with this Section. 

Section 12.17 - Flight Deck Loading Restrictions

Dangerous goods may be transported on a Flight Deck in accordance with the provisions of this Section. 

Publication 

You may obtain an electronic copy of the Regulations via the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate Website at: http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/clear/tofc.htm. 

Copies in annotated form will be available from commercial sources. 

Please note that air operators will be required to revise their Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training Programs and the Dangerous Goods Chapter of their Operations Manual to reflect the pertinent requirements of the revised Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Awareness Presentation 

Commercial and Business Aviation, Dangerous Goods Offices located across Canada are delivering Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation Awareness Sessions on the Part 12, Air Requirements at specific locations. Contact your Regional Office for further information (see below) or Headquarters at (613) 990-1060.

Awareness Presentations Schedule

For additional information please call:

• Atlantic : (506) 851-7247
• Prairie and Northern : (780) 495-5278
• Quebec : (514) 633-6838
• Pacific : (604) 666-5655
• Ontario : (416) 952-0000
• Airline Inspection : (514) 633-3116