posted hazcheck.com 28th November 2006
'Heads up' for IMDG Code Amendment 33-06
Amendment 33-06 of the IMDG Code has now been published. Here are the key changes:
 Amendments checklist | 
 | There are seven new UN Numbers, going up to 3473, and 18 current Numbers are deleted. |
| There are numerous detailed changes to the Dangerous Goods List, the special provisions, packing instructions and provisions, and to most of the chapters of the code. |
| The details on the dangerous goods transport document must be given with the UN Number first. The alternate format with the name first is no longer allowed. See 5.4.1.4. |
| UN 1950, aerosols are no longer 'class 2' when in limited quantities. They are class 2.1 or 2.2 as appropriate. There is a new classification of 'waste aerosols', which applies to short voyages only, and must be on deck only, and not in a closed CTU, see SPs 327 and 959. More detailed rules are given in 6.2.4 for the testing of aerosols. |
| With flammable liquids, the upper limit on flashpoint for them to be classified as hazardous is reduced from 61 to 60°C c.c. |
| For fireworks, there is a new several-page section 2.1.3.5 describing how they are allocated to the divisions and compatibility groups of class 1. |
| There is a new yellow and red label for class 5.2, organic peroxides. The present all-yellow label can be used until 1 January 2011. |
| Fumigated units, UN 3359 can no longer have their labels removed after they have been ventilated. Instead, the date of ventilation is written on the label, which stays on until the unit has been unloaded. |
| Segregation is not required between defined groups of substances which are chemically similar but are allocated to different, conflicting, classes. One table lists six UN Numbers of peroxides, and another lists three compounds of silicon and chlorine, See 7.2.1.13.1. |
| Between substances of class 8, the usual requirements of 'away from' or 'separated from' alkalis and 'away from' or 'separated from' acids can be ignored provided both substances are of packing groups II or III, in packages not exceeding 30 kg or 30 litres, and provided a test report says the substances do not react dangerously. |
 The Amended Code may, subject to national government adoption, be used from 1 January 2007. It will be mandatory from 1 January 2008. IMO's Maritime Safety Committee has agreed that Amendments to the IMDG Code will be adopted at two-yearly intervals, entering into force on 1 January of even years (shown in green on the chart). One year prior to those dates, Governments are invited to apply them on a voluntary basis. During these transition years (shown in yellow) either the Amendment in force or the newly published Amendment may be used.
During the transition years many carriers accept dangerous goods under both Amendments as shippers take advantage of any favourable changes affecting their products.
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