The packing instructions in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Technical Instructions) (and consequently the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations) have been the subject of an extensive review by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) over the last four years. This will result in significant revisions to their design and content.
These reformatted packing instructions:
- removed the inconsistencies apparent in the existing packing instructions;
- introduce a systemic allocation of substances and articles to packing instructions within each class or division. This included for the majority of substances a clear separation of substances by packing group, passenger aircraft or CAO, liquid or solid. Some substances had characteristics that set them apart from these standard groupings, e.g. mercaptans, chloroform, wetted explosives. These substances were assigned to a “special” packing instruction;
- removed the PPR and instead introduced, when required, clear “Additional Packing Requirements” that apply to all substances or articles in that packing instruction.
The packing instructions are posted in PDF format and in addition an Excel spreadsheet is provided showing by UN number / packing group the existing packing instruction number and the new packing instruction number for limited quantity, passenger aircraft and Cargo Aircraft Only. This information will also be provided in the 2009-2010 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions and in the 50th edition of the DGR.
The DGP agreed to a 3-month transition period to allow shippers to take care of any “in-stock” dangerous goods shipments. The transition period will allow for shipments prepared on or before 31 December 2010 to be accepted for transport until 31 March 2011.