Chapter 5.4 – Documentation
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.294(87) – Adoption of Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code – (Adopted on 21 May 2010) - Annex – Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code - Part 5 – Consignments Procedures - Chapter 5.4 – Documentation

Chapter 5.4 – Documentation

 Replace existing Note 1 with the following:

  • “NOTE 1 The provisions of this Code do not preclude the use of electronic data processing (EDP) and electronic data interchange (EDI) transmission techniques as an alternative to paper documentation. All references to "dangerous goods transport document" in this chapter also include provision of the required information by use of EDP and EDI transmission techniques."

and a new “NOTE 5” is inserted with the following:

  • "NOTE 5 In addition to the provisions of this chapter other additional information may be included. However, this information shall not:

    • .1 divert attention from the safety information required by this chapter or by the competent authority;

    • .2 contradict the safety information required by this chapter or by the competent authority; or

    • .3 duplicate information already provided.".

Parent topic: Part 5 – Consignments Procedures

5.4.1 Dangerous goods transport documentation

 Amend the title to read "5.4.1 Dangerous goods transport information".

5.4.1.1 General

  5.4.1.1 Replace with the following:

  • "5.4.1.1 General

    • 5.4.1.1.1 Except as otherwise provided, the consignor who offers dangerous goods for transport shall give to the carrier the information applicable to those dangerous goods, including any additional information and documentation as specified in this Code. This information may be provided on a dangerous goods transport document or, with the agreement of the carrier, by EDP or EDI techniques.

    • 5.4.1.1.2 When the dangerous goods transport information is given to the carrier by EDP or EDI techniques, the consignor shall be able to produce the information without delay as a paper document, with the information in the sequence required by this chapter.".

5.4.1.2.5 Example of a dangerous goods transport document

  5.4.1.2.5 In the footnote, replace "Recommendation No.11 (Documentary aspects of international Transport of Dangerous Goods) (ECE/TRADE/204, edition 96.1 – currently under revision)", with the following:

  • "Revised Recommendations No.11 (Documentary aspects of international Transport of Dangerous Goods) (ECE/TRADE/C/CEFACT/2008/8)".

5.4.1.4 Information required on the dangerous goods transport document

5.4.1.4.3 Information which supplements the Proper Shipping Name in the dangerous goods description

  5.4.1.4.3.2 At the end of the sentence, replace "Proper Shipping Name" with "dangerous goods description specified in 5.4.1.4.1.1 to .5".

5.4.1.5 Information required in addition to the dangerous goods description

  5.4.1.5.1 After the existing paragraph, add the following new note:

  • “NOTE: The number, type and capacity of each inner packaging within the outer packaging of a combination packaging is not required to be indicated.".

5.4.1.5.7 Radioactive material

  5.4.1.5.7.1.3 In the second sentence, after "the mass of fissile material" insert "(or mass of each fissile nuclide for mixtures when appropriate)".

  5.4.1.5.7.1.10 After the existing sentence, add "For radioactive material for which the A2 value is unlimited, the multiple of A2 shall be zero.".

  5.4.1.5.7.3 Replace the existing paragraph with the following:

  • "5.4.1.5.7.3 In all cases of international transport of packages requiring competent authorities design or shipment approval, for which different approval types apply in the different countries concerned by the shipment, the UN number and proper shipping name required in 5.4.1.4.1 shall be in accordance with the certificate of the country of origin of design.".

5.4.1.5.11 Special provisions for segregation

  5.4.1.5.11.1 In the last sentence, after "Phosphoric acid", insert ", acetic acid".

5.4.1.6 Certification

  5.4.1.6.2 Replace the existing paragraph with the following:

  • "5.4.1.6.2 If the dangerous goods documentation is presented to the carrier by means of EDP or EDI transmission techniques, the signature(s) may be electronic signature(s) or may be replaced by the name(s) (in capitals) of the person authorized to sign.".

  5.4.1.6.3 A new paragraph 5.4.1.6.3 is added with the following:

  • "5.4.1.6.3 When the dangerous goods transport information is given to a carrier by EDP or EDI techniques and subsequently the dangerous goods are transferred to a carrier that requires a paper dangerous goods transport document, the carrier shall ensure that the paper document indicates "Original received electronically" and the name of the signatory shall be shown in capital letters.".

5.4.2 Container/vehicle packing certificate

  5.4.2.3 Replace the existing paragraph with the following:

  • "5.4.2.3 If the dangerous goods documentation is presented to the carrier by means of EDP or EDI transmission techniques, the signature(s) may be electronic signature(s) or may be replaced by the name(s) (in capitals) of the person authorized to sign.".

  5.4.2.4 A new paragraph 5.4.2.4 is added with the following:

  • "5.4.2.4 When the dangerous goods transport information is given to a carrier by EDP or EDI techniques and subsequently the dangerous goods are transferred to a carrier that requires a paper dangerous goods transport document, the carrier shall ensure that the paper document indicates "Original received electronically" and the name of the signatory shall be shown in capital letters.".

5.4.4 Other required information and documentation

5.4.4.2 Fumigated units

  5.4.4.2 Delete.

5.4.6 Retention of dangerous goods transport information

  5.4.6 A new section 5.4.6 is added with the following:

  • "5.4.6 Retention of dangerous goods transport information

    • 5.4.6.1 The consignor and the carrier shall retain a copy of the dangerous goods transport document and additional information and documentation as specified in this Code, for a minimum period of three months.

    • 5.4.6.2 When the documents are kept electronically or in a computer system, the consignor and the carrier shall be able to reproduce them in a printed form.".

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