IMPORTANT Update to 2015 IATA DGR: Packing Groups Removed

LINDEN, N.J. - Jan. 12, 2015 - PRLog -- For this blog entry on DGM New York’s website please visit: http://www.dgm-usa-ny.com/blog/2015/01/12/43-important-update-to-2015-iata-dgr-packing-groups-removed.html
For DGM New York’s blog please visit:http://www.dgm-usa-ny.com/blog.html

IMPORTANT Update to 2015 IATA DGR: Packing Groups Removed
Posted in DGM New York Blog (http://www.dgm-usa-ny.com/blog/dgm%20new%20york%20blog.html)

There are recent changes in the 2015 56th edition IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) which remove packing groups (PG) from certain proper shipping names (PSN).

Nearly all hazardous materials are given an assigned packing group according to the level of danger for the particular dangerous goods.  Packing groups, often abbreviated as PG, are indicated by roman numerals, being either I, II or III.

Packing Groups
I - great danger
II - medium danger
III - minor danger

IATA (International Air Transport Association) has made effective January 1, 2015 the removal of packaging groups (PG) from the hazardous materials table section 4.2 of the DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations).  The Dangerous Goods Regulations have also been amended to include section 3.0.3.3 which states “Articles are not assigned to packing groups. For packing purposes, any requirement for a specific packaging performance level is set out in the applicable packing instruction.”  This is important because persons using the DGR may be led to believe that the absence of a packing group listed in table 4.2 column E would indicate that UN specification packaging may not be applicable.  The packing instructions in section 5.3 should always be consulted for specific packaging requirements.

The updated 2015 List of Dangerous Goods is shown below. These are the proper shipping names that have had their packing groups removed.

Ammunition, tear-producing, non-explosive
Ammunition, toxic, non-explosive
Batteries, containing sodium
Lithium ion batteries
Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment
Lithium ion batteries packed with equipment
Lithium metal batteries
Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment
Lithium metal batteries packed with equipment
Mercury contained in manufacturing articles
Oxygen generator, chemical
Safety devices
Tear gas candles

Due to the PG designations being removed for these articles, beginning January 1, 2015, descriptions for these items on a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods—as required by DGR 8.1.6.9.1—will no longer include the PG. For example, prior to January 2015, the description for Lithium metal batteries was, “UN 3090, Lithium metal batteries, 9, PG II.” From January 2015 forward, the description will be, “UN 3090, Lithium metal batteries, 9.”

It is imperative to make note that despite having their packing groups removed; this does not indicate that the UN specification packaging requirements for each of the listed proper shipping names has changed.  Always refer to an up-to-date set of dangerous goods regulations for the proper packaging requirements.