New label for substances with an environmental hazard

The ADR convention 2009 takes another step in the direction of coordinating environmental and transport classifications.

As something completely new products with an environmental hazard, which are transported in cans larger than 5 litre or 5 kg must now have an additional danger label. According to technical development manager, Jan Holmbach Henriksen, this may cause a rush of work in many businesses.

The rule came into force on 1 July 2009

'The rule came into force on 1 July 2009 for certain substances, and I am aware of an example where a company within the painting business had to relabel 40,000 cans at their warehouse to make sure that these are ready for dispatch', says Jan Holmbach Henriksen.

The substances which are comprised by the new rules are at first those covered by the UN numbers 3077 and 3082 - solid substances and liquid substances with an environmental hazard (symbol: fish and tree). However, also other substances which did not have to be classified earlier, are now included.

Some businesses must be especially observant

'Therefore, companies have every reason to check if they have substances which must be labelled supplementarily.  If you do not do anything there is a risk that some of your company's substances cannot be transported legally and obviously this may have unfortunate consequences' says Jan Holmbach Henriksen.

The galvanising and paint industry must be especially observant

He mentions the galvanising and surface treatment industries as well as naturally the paint industry as companies which must be especially observant to the new rules. They must also keep a close watch over the use of new additives, which may be covered by the rules. 'This may require that companies have to think differently. There may be a substance which is not toxic, and therefore it does not need to have a danger label. However, it may be dangerous for the aquatic environment, and thus it must have new danger label', says Jan Holmbach Henriksen.

Review of your company's substances and updating of your safety data sheets

Bureau Veritas HSE can help you go through your company's substances and we can update your safety data sheets, etc. We also sell the new danger labels.

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