ADR Regulations UK — Carriage of Dangerous Goods: Complete Guide

The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), implemented in the United Kingdom through the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1348) as amended by SI 2011/1885 and subsequent instruments, governs the road transport of hazardous materials across Great Britain. The ADR 2025 biennial edition, which entered into force on 1 January 2025, introduces revised classification criteria, updated packing instructions, and amended equipment requirements that operators, transport managers, and Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs) must integrate into their compliance frameworks.

Structure of ADR 2025: Nine Parts

ADR 2025 is structured across nine Parts, each addressing a distinct regulatory domain:

• Part 1 — General provisions, scope, and definitions (Chapter 1.1–1.10, including DGSA requirements under 1.8.3)
• Part 2 — Classification (UN classification system, Classes 1–9, mixed packing)
• Part 3 — Dangerous goods list, special provisions, and exemptions (Chapters 3.2–3.5, limited and excepted quantities)
• Part 4 — Packing and tank provisions
• Part 5 — Consignment procedures (marking, labelling, transport documents)
• Part 6 — Construction and testing of packagings and tanks
• Part 7 — Conditions of carriage, loading, unloading, and handling
• Part 8 — Requirements for vehicle crews, equipment, and operations (including Chapter 8.1.5 mandatory equipment)
• Part 9 — Requirements for construction and approval of vehicles

UN Classification System: Classes 1–9

The UN classification system divides dangerous goods into nine hazard classes, with several subdivisions. From a spill control perspective, the most operationally significant classes are:

• Class 1 — Explosives (Divisions 1.1–1.6): Primarily blast and fragment risk; spill control largely irrelevant except where explosive solutions are transported.
• Class 2 — Gases (Divisions 2.1 Flammable, 2.2 Non-flammable, 2.3 Toxic): Pressurised gas releases require atmospheric containment; absorbents for condensate.
• Class 3 — Flammable Liquids: Highest spill control relevance. Defined by flash point below 60°C (closed cup, Pensky-Martens per EN ISO 2719). Subdivided by flash point into packing groups.
• Class 4.1 — Flammable Solids: Spill control required where wet slurries or solutions involved.
• Class 6.1 — Toxic Substances: Absorbents and personal protective equipment essential.
• Class 8 — Corrosives: Acids and alkalis; neutralising granules mandatory in spill response.
• Class 9 — Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances: Includes environmentally hazardous substances (aquatic toxicity); spill kits required for marine pollutants.

Packing Groups I, II, and III

ADR assigns substances to one of three Packing Groups (PG) based on the degree of hazard:

• Packing Group I (PG I) — High danger: requires the most robust packaging (X-rated). Examples: diethyl ether (UN 1155), carbon disulphide (UN 1131).
• Packing Group II (PG II) — Medium danger: Y-rated packaging. Examples: acetone (UN 1090), toluene (UN 1294).
• Packing Group III (PG III) — Low danger: Z-rated packaging. Examples: diesel fuel (UN 1202), fuel oil (UN 1268).

Packing group determines inner/outer packaging specifications under Chapter 4.1 and influences quantity thresholds for limited quantity exemptions under Chapter 3.4.

Class 3 Flammable Liquids: Flash Points and Examples

Class 3 substances are defined in ADR 2025 Section 2.2.3 as liquids with a flash point not exceeding 60°C. The flash point determines packing group assignment:

• PG I: Flash point below 23°C and initial boiling point at or below 35°C (e.g., diethyl ether, petrol/gasoline UN 1203 — flash point −43°C)
• PG II: Flash point below 23°C and initial boiling point above 35°C (e.g., acetone UN 1090 — flash point −18°C; methanol UN 1230 — flash point 11°C)
• PG III: Flash point 23°C–60°C (e.g., diesel fuel UN 1202 — flash point typically 52–96°C; kerosene UN 1223 — flash point 37–65°C)

Class 8 Corrosives

Class 8 substances under ADR Section 2.2.8 include substances that, by chemical action, cause irreversible damage to skin tissue and may cause material damage to other freight or the means of transport. Common examples include sulphuric acid (UN 1830, PG II), sodium hydroxide solution (UN 1824, PG II), and hydrochloric acid (UN 1789, PG II). Spill response for Class 8 goods requires acid/alkali neutralising granules and chemical-resistant PPE as minimum equipment, with bund containment essential for fixed storage associated with distribution operations.

Transport Emergency Cards (TREM Cards / Tremcards)

ADR Chapter 5.4.3 requires that written instructions in the form of a Transport Emergency Card (TREM card or Tremcard) be carried on the vehicle for each dangerous good or category of dangerous goods. Tremcards must include: nature of danger, protective equipment to be worn, general and specific emergency actions, and first aid procedures. Standardised Tremcards are available from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) and Chemdata. The driver must be able to hand the Tremcard to emergency services immediately upon request.

Mandatory Vehicle Equipment: Spill Kits Under ADR Chapter 8.1.5

ADR Chapter 8.1.5 lists equipment that must be carried on every transport unit. For vehicles carrying Class 3 flammable liquids or Class 8 corrosives, the required equipment includes absorbent or neutralising material suitable for dealing with minor spillages. The DGSA and transport manager must ensure that the correct spill response kit — rated for the specific hazard class — is loaded before departure. A suitable Class 3 spill kit will contain hydrocarbon-specific absorbent pads, socks, and disposal bags. A Class 8 kit will include neutralising granules, pH indicator paper, and chemical-resistant gloves. View our range of ADR-compliant vehicle spill kits at spill-control-products.co.uk.

ADR Class 3 — Examples, UN Numbers, and Packing Groups

Substance	UN Number	Packing Group	Flash Point	Spill Kit Type Required
Petrol / Gasoline	UN 1203	PG II	−43°C	Hydrocarbon absorbent
Acetone	UN 1090	PG II	−18°C	Universal absorbent
Methanol	UN 1230	PG II	11°C	Universal absorbent
Diesel Fuel	UN 1202	PG III	52–96°C	Hydrocarbon absorbent
Kerosene	UN 1223	PG III	37–65°C	Hydrocarbon absorbent
Toluene	UN 1294	PG II	4°C	Universal absorbent
Diethyl Ether	UN 1155	PG I	−45°C	Universal absorbent (high hazard)
Isopropanol (IPA)	UN 1219	PG II	12°C	Universal absorbent

Placarding Thresholds

Under ADR Chapter 5.3 and the 1000-point rule in Section 1.1.3.6, transport units carrying mixed dangerous goods must calculate a cumulative hazard score. If the total exceeds 1000 points, full ADR compliance including orange-plate placarding applies. Category 3 substances (which include most Class 3 PG III flammables) attract a multiplier of 3 per quantity unit, whilst Category 1 (most toxic and explosive) substances attract a multiplier of 50. Operators should use the Competent Authority Transport Guidance (CATG) published by the Department for Transport to confirm applicable thresholds for their specific cargo profiles.

Exemptions: Limited Quantities and Excepted Quantities

Limited Quantities (Chapter 3.4): Many Class 3 flammable liquids may be transported in packages not exceeding 1 litre (inner packaging) under the LQ exemption. LQ packages display a diamond mark with the letter Y and are exempt from placarding, driver ADR certificates, and Tremcard requirements, provided total gross mass per outer packaging does not exceed 30 kg.

Excepted Quantities (Chapter 3.5): Exceptionally small quantities — typically 1 mL to 30 mL depending on E-code — are exempt from virtually all ADR provisions. The consignor must certify compliance with EQ requirements. Note that E0 substances (e.g., desensitised explosives) cannot use this exemption.

Driver ADR Certificate Requirements

Under ADR Chapter 8.2 and CDG 2009 Schedule 2, drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods above exemption thresholds must hold a current ADR Driver Training Certificate. Training must cover: general awareness of dangerous goods regulations; safety, environmental protection, and emergency response; function-specific competence. Certificates are issued by approved training providers and are valid for 5 years. Renewal requires attendance at a refresher course and a written examination. Failure to carry a valid certificate constitutes an offence under Regulation 20 of CDG 2009, punishable by a fixed penalty or prosecution.

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Last reviewed: April 2026