The document summarizes the role and activities of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN SCOE). It discusses how the UN SCOE works to harmonize dangerous goods transportation regulations across countries through a biennial process of reviewing proposals and amending the UN Model Regulations. Representatives from 28 countries participate in the UN SCOE to facilitate safe international transport of dangerous goods.

1. - 1 -
United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts
on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Duane A. Pfund
Chairman
15th International Conference on
Industrial Packaging
04 June 2015

2. - 2 -
Overview
• United Nations Sub-Committee
• International Performance Packaging
• Industry Role in UN work
U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration

3. United Nations
Economic Commission Europe
(ECE)
Geneva
Secretariat for UN SCOE
Economic & Social Council
(ECOSOC)
New York
UN General Assembly
UN Sub-Committee of Experts (SCOE)
on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods
UN Model Regulations
“Orange Book”

4. UN Sub-Committee of Experts on
the Transport of Dangerous Goods
• Established: 1954
– UN Recommendations published in 1957
– DOT Adopted into 49 CFR (HM-181) in 1991
• Purpose: Regulatory harmonization to facilitate
intermodal transport in international commerce
• Objective: Enhance safety through a consistent
level of regulation, improved compliance, and to
facilitate international trade

5. UN Sub-Committee of Experts on
the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Multi-modal transport provisions
• Classification criteria
• Identification system (Dangerous Goods
List)
• Packaging and testing
• Marking, labeling, and placarding
• Documentation (e.g., shipping papers)
• Training and general security

6. UN TDG Sub-Committee
Representatives from 28 countries with voting status (16 EU)
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
China
Czech Republic
Finland
France
Germany
India
Iran
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russian Federation
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Participants in an advisory (“observer status”) capacity:
Other governments
Industry Organizations (e.g., IPANA, DGAC, COSTHA, PRBA, ICCA, CGA, IATA)
Intergovernmental Organizations (e.g., IMO, ICAO, IAEA, EC, WHO)

7. Deliberation Process
• Papers introduced by authors
• Open to discussion and comments
• Strive for consensus
• Various courses of action could be pursued
– Adopt without opposition
– Minor suggestions that can be easily incorporated
– Interested delegates discuss on the margins
– New proposal if necessary
– Comments noted and considered for a future proposal
– No support and withdrawn
– Majority vote if necessary

8. Regulatory amendment schedule
Dates relevant to 2013-2014 UN Biennium
• United Nations, international air (ICAO), and
maritime (IMO), on two year schedules
– UN biennium 2013-2014. Two meetings a year – Jun and Nov
• Recommendations were published first quarter 2015
• Enter into force in international regulations Jan 2017
– ICAO and IMDG meetings 2014-2015
• Regulations will enter into force Jan 2017
– US HMR international harmonization rule
• Regulations will enter into force Jan 2017

10. UN Performance Packaging
• Design type and design type testing
– Drop and stack
– Hydrostatic and leak (liquids)
– Vibration in some cases
• Test report
• Package Marking
• Quality Assurance Program

11. Global Regulatory Development
• How do global regulations evolve?
• A case study

12. Role of NGO’s
• UN SCOE is a safety forum – participants
expected to partner on achieving shared
safety mission
• Demonstrate transport safety benefit
– Environment and worker safety also
considered
• Provide specific technical assistance
• Provide data
• Engage!

13. US Participation
• UN and GHS Public Meetings
• Wednesday, June 10, 2015 @ DOT Headquarters
- UN Public Meeting 9am-12noon
- GHS Public Meeting 1pm- 4pm
• PHMSA solicits your comments on our international agenda and any
working or informal documents to be considered at the 47th UNSCOE
TDG
• Email any comments to PHMSAInternationalStandards@dot.gov
• While you’re at it request to join our mailing list
• http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/standards-
rulemaking/international

14. US DOT PHMSA is Hiring!
• PHMSA’s FY15 budget appropriated 100+ new positions.
• Typical jobs include professional, engineering, or
scientific occupations like General Engineers, Accident/
Incident Investigators, and Transportation Specialists; Human
Resources Specialists, Budget Analysts, and other
administrative or management-related occupations;
and technical support, including GIS Specialists, Data
Analysts, and IT Specialists
• Work at our Washington, D.C., headquarters or one of five
regional offices across the country

15. US DOT PHMSA is Hiring!
• Sign up for job alerts, view current job openings, and find out how to
apply at: www.phmsa.dot.gov/careers
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