As 2019 quickly approaches, lithium battery shippers need to be aware of the mandatory label changes that become effective on January 1st. For almost 2 years shippers of small (excepted) batteries and battery-powered devices have had the option to use either the lithium battery handling “Caution” label or the lithium battery mark while operating under…
10,000 miles, 5 sets of hazmat regulations? Welcome to Latin America
If you work in Dangerous Goods in North America or Europe, you’ve probably complained at one time or another about the complexity of ever-changing hazmat regulations. Diego Gotelli would like you to know that, compared to Dangerous Goods pros in Latin America, you have it easy. Gotelli, director of the Argentinian emergency response agency CIQUIME,…
Your fall guide to 2019 Dangerous Goods regulatory publications
Who doesn’t love fall? The trees go ablaze with color, the air takes on that indescribable crispness, and the latest Dangerous Goods regulatory publications become available. (Alternate opening for those in the southern hemisphere: Who doesn’t love spring? The trees burst from grey to green, the air takes on that indescribable lushness, and the latest…
Will the updated IMDG Code help prevent another maritime DG disaster?
A common frustration of working in the Dangerous Goods supply chain is “keeping up with constantly changing regulations.” Why do the rules change so often? One reason regulations change? It’s to prevent incidents like the devastating 2012 explosion aboard the container ship MSC Flaminia, in which three crew members were killed. Earlier this month, the…
Five biggest surprises in the 2018 Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook
At the recent Dangerous Goods Symposium, representatives from Labelmaster, Hazardous Cargo Bulletin and IATA previewed the results of the third annual Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook—the industry’s most comprehensive survey. Gathering responses from 500 hazmat professionals on five continents, the DG Confidence Outlook is the definitive snapshot of our industry. And, now that we have…
Lithium Battery Friday—a.k.a. 2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium, Day 3
There’s a special charge in the air on Friday at the Dangerous Goods Symposium, because Day 3 is Lithium Battery Day. Everyone’s favorite regulated material gets an all-star panel and a no-(cargo) holds-barred Q & A session, so there’s a high capacity for shock. As IATA’s Dave Brennan said, “Lithium batteries are a very emotional…
2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium, Day 2—visions of a more automated future
Sometime in the not-too-distant future, someone will fill out the last paper Dangerous Goods declaration—ever. After Day 2 of the 2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium, it’s clear that the era of manual, paper-based Dangerous Goods processes is in its twilight. Here are some highlights from a day of revelations and insight. Blockchain and its coming role…
2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium, Day 1—a compliance evolution
Why are we here? On one level, that’s an easy question. It’s Day 1 of the 2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium, and we’re here at the Loew’s Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois because this is the world’s premier event for Dangerous Goods shippers, trainers and regulators. We’re here to learn from each other and become more effective…
2018 DG Symposium moderator Geoff Leach on “The Global Regulatory Landscape”
Geoff Leach, founder and director of The Dangerous Goods Office, Ltd., will moderate a panel on The Global Regulatory Landscape at the 13th annual Dangerous Goods Symposium, September 5–7, 2018, in Rosemont, Illinois. As one of the Dangerous Goods industry’s most recognizable veterans, Geoff Leach is a natural choice to moderate Thursday’s panel on recent…
IATA’s James Wyatt to demo automated DG acceptance tool at 2018 Dangerous Goods Symposium
James Wyatt, Assistant Director of Dangerous Goods Publications at IATA, will speak on advanced automation—and give a live demo of IATA’s new acceptance solution—at the 13th annual Dangerous Goods Symposium, September 5–7, 2018, in Rosemont, Illinois. Who determines what’s safe to load onto an airplane—and what isn’t—when it comes to the world of Dangerous Goods…