UN/UNECE adopts draft amendments for ADR 2027
Status: Adopted draft amendments – future requirements
Jurisdiction/organisation: UNECE / ADR Contracting Parties
Topic: Road transport
The UNECE Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods adopted draft amendments to ADR on 25 February 2026. Subject to final legal processing, these amendments will form part of the ADR 2027 edition, which is expected to become applicable on 1 January 2027, normally followed by a six-month transitional period. Companies should begin assessing forthcoming changes to classifications, packaging, documentation, vehicles, tanks and operational requirements.
New and updated ADR multilateral agreements remain applicable
Status: Temporary regulatory derogations
Jurisdiction/organisation: UNECE / participating ADR countries
Topic: Road transport
Several ADR multilateral agreements remain open or in force, allowing participating countries to temporarily deviate from specific ADR provisions. Recent activity includes additional signatures during 2026 and agreements concerning subjects such as articles containing gas in cryogenic receptacles. The derogations only apply between countries that have signed the relevant agreement and until the stated expiry date.
EU authorises updated national dangerous-goods transport derogations
Status: Confirmed legal decision
Jurisdiction/organisation: European Union
Topic: Inland transport
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1041 updates the list of national derogations that EU Member States may apply under Directive 2008/68/EC. The derogations permit specified national transport operations to differ from ADR, RID or ADN requirements where defined safety conditions are met. Operators should verify whether a derogation applies only domestically or may also be used for cross-border operations.
Consolidated EU roadside-check rules for dangerous-goods vehicles updated
Status: Consolidated legislation update
Jurisdiction/organisation: European Union
Topic: Road transport enforcement
The consolidated version of Directive (EU) 2022/1999 on roadside checks for the transport of dangerous goods was updated as of 24 June 2026. The Directive establishes harmonised inspection procedures, checklists and risk categorisation for dangerous-goods vehicles travelling within EU Member States. Transport companies should ensure that vehicle equipment, documentation, marking, packaging and loading arrangements are ready for roadside verification.
ICAO issues amendments to the 2025–2026 Dangerous Goods Technical Instructions
Status: Confirmed addendum and corrigendum
Jurisdiction/organisation: ICAO
Topic: Air transport
ICAO published Addendum No. 1 to Doc 9284 on 27 March 2026 and Corrigendum No. 2 on 7 May 2026. These documents modify or correct requirements in the 2025–2026 Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Shippers, freight forwarders, ground handlers and aircraft operators should use the Technical Instructions together with all applicable addenda, corrigenda and State variations.
IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 is now mandatory
Status: Confirmed mandatory requirements
Jurisdiction/organisation: International Maritime Organization
Topic: Maritime transport
Amendment 42-24 of the IMDG Code became mandatory on 1 January 2026. It replaces the previous mandatory edition and introduces revisions affecting dangerous-goods entries, special provisions, packing, marking, documentation, stowage and segregation. Organisations still using procedures based on Amendment 41-22 should complete their transition to the 2024 edition incorporating Amendment 42-24.
United States proposes international harmonisation amendments under HM-215R
Status: Proposed rule – comment period closed
Jurisdiction/organisation: United States / PHMSA
Topic: Multimodal transport
PHMSA’s HM-215R proposal would harmonise parts of the US Hazardous Materials Regulations with recent international standards. Proposed changes cover proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorisations, air-transport quantity limits and vessel-stowage requirements. The public-comment period closed on 13 April 2026; a final rule has not yet been issued.
United States streamlines approvals for fireworks and energetic materials
Status: Final rule
Jurisdiction/organisation: United States / PHMSA
Topic: Multimodal transport
PHMSA issued final rule HM-257A in June 2026 to simplify the classification and approval process for certain energetic materials. The rule introduces electronic-only explosives approval applications and permits self-certification for 17 types of low-hazard ground fireworks. It also clarifies that cartridges containing tracer projectiles may qualify for self-classification as Division 1.4S.
New US hazardous-materials registration cycle begins
Status: Confirmed administrative and compliance update
Jurisdiction/organisation: United States / PHMSA
Topic: Transport registration
The PHMSA 2026–2027 Hazardous Materials Registration cycle runs from 1 July 2026 through 30 June 2027. The registration process includes enhanced address validation, identity verification, company-account controls and integration with the MOTUS platform. PHMSA is also moving toward online-only registration and electronic payment.
United States considers special rules for hazardous materials used in spacecraft
Status: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking
Jurisdiction/organisation: United States / PHMSA
Topic: Road and multimodal transport
PHMSA’s HM-267 initiative is considering revisions to facilitate the transport of hazardous materials integral to satellites, capsules and other spacecraft components. The review covers movements to and from launch and recovery locations. The consultation closed on 29 April 2026, and no final regulatory amendments have yet been adopted.
PHMSA evaluates hazardous-material transport using heavy-duty electric vehicles
Status: Regulatory research and information request
Jurisdiction/organisation: United States / PHMSA
Topic: Road transport
PHMSA has requested information on the comparative risks of transporting hazardous materials using heavy-duty electric vehicles rather than conventional diesel or petrol vehicles. Areas under review include packaging integrity, accident behaviour, battery fires, emergency response, operational limitations and regulatory compliance. The information may support future research or rulemaking but does not currently create new legal obligations.
United Kingdom updates ADR vehicle approval documentation
Status: Administrative guidance and form update
Jurisdiction/organisation: United Kingdom / DVSA
Topic: Road transport
The UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency updated ADR vehicle approval information and application materials on 8 and 9 July 2026. The documentation applies to vehicles requiring ADR certification for transporting dangerous goods in tanks, bulk vehicles and certain other approved vehicle categories. Operators and testing centres should use the latest forms when applying for an initial ADR test or a change in ADR category.
Australia prepares a replacement land-transport dangerous-goods code
Status: Draft reform – expected implementation
Jurisdiction/organisation: Australia / National Transport Commission
Topic: Road and rail transport
Australia is conducting a major review of its land-transport dangerous-goods framework. The proposed code is intended to modernise outdated provisions and improve alignment with international rules while retaining Australian-specific requirements. Consultation documents indicate that implementation of the updated code is expected around October 2026, although the final commencement arrangements must still be confirmed by individual jurisdictions.
Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7.9 now fully mandatory
Status: Confirmed mandatory code
Jurisdiction/organisation: Australia / National Transport Commission
Topic: Road and rail transport
Edition 7.9 of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code became mandatory on 1 October 2025 and remains the current edition pending completion of the wider code review. It incorporates UN-based changes covering classification, dangerous-goods entries, packaging, transport documentation and operational requirements. State or territory commencement arrangements should still be checked with the relevant competent authority.
New Zealand publishes guidance for tertiary containment of hazardous substances
Status: New official guidance – no new standalone legal obligation
Jurisdiction/organisation: New Zealand / WorkSafe
Topic: Storage
WorkSafe New Zealand published new guidance in May 2026 for tertiary containment systems associated with above-ground stationary tanks. It covers hazardous substances that may pool or flow, including Classes 3, 4, 5.1.1, 5.2, 6, 8 and specified Class 9 substances. The guidance also addresses contaminated firefighting water, foreseeable failure of secondary containment, risk assessment, maintenance and major-hazard-facility obligations.
New Zealand updates hazardous-substance storage application forms
Status: Administrative compliance update
Jurisdiction/organisation: New Zealand / WorkSafe
Topic: Storage
WorkSafe updated its application-form portal on 21 May 2026 for approvals and notifications associated with the use and storage of hazardous substances. Businesses should confirm that they are using the current forms when applying for hazardous-substance locations, transit depots, certified handlers or other approvals under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.
Singapore consolidates the QRA submission process for major-hazard installations
Status: Updated official compliance procedure
Jurisdiction/organisation: Singapore / Ministry of Manpower
Topic: Storage and process safety
Singapore’s Major Hazards Department now acts as the single regulatory contact for Quantitative Risk Assessment submissions for major-hazard installations. The updated procedure coordinates the QRA clearance process and supporting regulatory review. Facilities storing or processing threshold quantities of dangerous substances should verify the current QRA criteria and submission resources before developing or modifying an installation.