Date: 25/06/2009
The international carriage of dangerous goods is regulated by the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage on Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). The 2009 Edition is applicable from 1 July 2009. EU Member States are required to apply the ADR provisions to national transport. ADr now includes new provisions, applicable from 1 January 2010, for the transport of dangerous goods through road tunnels.
The five categories
Road tunnels have been assigned a range of five categories. Each tunnel will be assigned to a particular category following a risk assessment, including considering the availability and suitability of alternative routes and transport modes.
The categories are:
A. no restrictions
B. restrictions for dangerous goods which may lead to a very large explosion
C. restrictions for dangerous goods which may lead to a very large explosion or a large toxic release
D. restrictions for dangerous goods which may lead to a very large explosion, to a large to toxic release or to a large fire
E. restrictions for all dangerous goods
