Media statement | 19 May 2005

Revised Dangerous Goods Rule signed

Updated requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods on land in New Zealand will come into force next month.

The new requirements are contained in the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 , signed this week by Minister for Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven. The new rule revises and updates previous requirements introduced in 1999, in order to ensure that New Zealand remains in line with international standards for the carriage of dangerous goods. The rule comes into force on June 27.

In New Zealand , dangerous goods are classified for transport in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations (UNRTDG). The current revisions to New Zealand 's rules are being made in order to reflect changes made in the UN regulations, which are also the basis for international maritime and aviation codes for the transport of dangerous goods.

Changes in the rule will also ensure that transport requirements for dangerous goods are compatible with New Zealand 's Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 .

Specific changes in the rule include updates to the labelling and marking of some containers, new package sizes for dangerous goods in limited quantities, new requirements for the segregation of incompatible dangerous goods, and a requirement for the name and address of consignees to be included on dangerous goods declaration forms.

Questions and answers on the Dangerous Goods Rule 2005 are available on the Land Transport NZ website, at http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/rules/q-and-a/dangerous-goods-2005.html

For more information:
Andy Knackstedt
Land Transport NZ Media Manager
(04) 931-8822 or 0212 763 222