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By Dave Brennan
From 1 January 2027, the 68th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations will become the industry reference document used for the transport of dangerous goods by air.
This article looks at the changes adopted for the remaining sections of the DGR: Section 8, Documentation, Section 9, Handling, Section 10, Radioactive Material, Appendix A, Glossary, and Appendix C, Currently Assigned Substances.
While some of these amendments are relatively limited, they include important clarifications affecting documentation, the loading of explosives, radioactive material packaging requirements, pressure receptacle terminology and the listing of organic peroxides.
Section 8: Documentation
Section 8 sets out the requirements for information that must appear on the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods, the air waybill and any additional documentation required for particular dangerous goods.
While the UN Model Regulations specify certain information that must appear on dangerous goods transport documentation, the ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA DGR provide the detailed requirements applicable to air transport. The DGR also includes additional information intended to facilitate the acceptance and carriage of dangerous goods by airlines.
8.1 Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods
8.1.6 Detailed Instructions for Completing the Declaration Form
The provisions in 8.1.6.9.2, Second Sequence, have been revised to remove ambiguities in the wording and requirements.
The information contained in subparagraphs (a) to (i) has also been reordered to provide a more logical sequence.
Although this is primarily a clarification and restructuring of the existing provisions, those responsible for preparing or checking Shipper’s Declarations should be aware of the revised sequence when transitioning to the 68th edition.
Section 9: Handling
Section 9 details the responsibilities of airlines and their ground service providers for the acceptance, handling and loading of dangerous goods on aircraft.
9.3 Loading
9.3.2 Incompatible Dangerous Goods
The provisions in paragraph 9.3.2.2, Separation of Explosive Substances and Articles, have been revised.
Paragraph 9.3.2.2.4 now clarifies that only explosives in compatibility groups C, D and E may be stowed together.
Paragraph 9.3.2.2.5 has also been revised.
For operators and ground handling organisations, these amendments reinforce the importance of checking compatibility requirements when explosives are accepted, prepared and loaded for air transport.
Section 10: Radioactive Material
Section 10 consolidates the DGR provisions applying to radioactive material.
Its structure broadly mirrors the rest of the DGR, beginning with 10.1, Applicability, followed by 10.2, Limitations, and continuing through the requirements specifically applicable to radioactive material.
10.6 Packaging Specifications and Performance Testing
10.6.1 Additional Requirements for Packages Transported by Air
The only change identified for Section 10 is the addition of a note under paragraph 10.6.1.3.
The note clarifies the pressure differential requirement for packages containing solid radioactive material.
It explains that, for solid material, compliance with 10.6.1.3 may be demonstrated by means other than pressure resistance. Where it can be demonstrated that there is no loss or dispersal of radioactive contents from the containment system when the package is exposed to the pressure differential expected during flight, the package design can be considered to meet the requirement even where the internal pressure is not maintained.
This clarification is significant because it focuses compliance on preventing the loss or dispersal of radioactive contents under the expected pressure differential rather than requiring pressure resistance to be demonstrated in only one particular way.
Appendix A: Glossary
The DGR Glossary provides definitions for terms commonly used throughout the regulations. These terms and definitions generally reflect those contained in the UN Model Regulations.
The changes adopted into the 2027 DGR largely relate to pressure receptacles.
Cylinders
The revised definition introduces the concept of a test pressure volume product and describes cylinders as pressure receptacles with a water capacity not exceeding 150 L and a test pressure volume product not exceeding 1.5 million bar litres.
Filling Ratio
The definition of filling ratio has been revised to describe the relationship between the mass of gas and the mass of water at 15°C that would completely fill the means of containment when fitted and ready for use.
Salvage Pressure Receptacle
The revised definition continues to identify salvage pressure receptacles as not permitted for air transport.
The definition now incorporates a total test pressure volume product not exceeding 1.5 million bar litres for damaged, defective, leaking or non conforming pressure receptacles placed within the salvage pressure receptacle for transport, including recovery or disposal.
Tube
The definition of a tube, which is also identified as not permitted for air transport, has been revised.
It describes a seamless or composite pressure receptacle with a water capacity exceeding 150 L but not more than 3,000 L and a test pressure volume product not exceeding 1.5 million bar litres.
Pressure Volume Product
A new definition has been introduced for Pressure Volume Product, or PV Product.
The term describes the value obtained by multiplying the usable water capacity of a containment by the relevant maximum pressure during filling and use, such as the test pressure or charging pressure referenced for the particular type of containment.
The value is expressed in bar litres.
The inclusion of this concept across several pressure receptacle definitions provides a common basis for defining the limits applying to different types of containment.
Appendix C: Currently Assigned Substances
Appendix C contains the lists of currently assigned self reactive substances of Division 4.1 and organic peroxides.
For 2027, the changes reflect revisions to the organic peroxide entries in Table C.2 arising from decisions of the UN Subcommittee to revise the corresponding list in the UN Model Regulations.
The changes include the replacement of an existing chemically described entry with individually named substances, including Arteether, Artemether, Artemisinin, Artesunate and Dihydroartemisinin, including stereoisomers where specified.
Table C.2 also contains revisions affecting a number of other organic peroxide entries, concentrations, diluent requirements, temperature controls, UN numbers and associated notes.
Because Table C.2 contains detailed chemical names, concentrations and numerical conditions, the final published table should reproduce the applicable regulatory text exactly.
What the changes mean in practice
The amendments across Sections 8, 9 and 10 and Appendices A and C vary considerably in scope.
Some are principally editorial or clarifying, such as the restructuring of information in the Shipper’s Declaration provisions. Others affect the interpretation of operational requirements, including the compatibility of explosives during loading and the demonstration of pressure differential capability for radioactive material packages.
The changes to the Glossary and Table C.2 also demonstrate how revisions originating within the UN Model Regulations continue to flow through the international air transport framework.
For dangerous goods professionals, this means preparation for the 68th edition should include more than simply identifying new provisions. Documentation procedures, acceptance processes, loading instructions, technical terminology and reference data should all be reviewed against the final published DGR.
Final reflection
The changes addressed in these remaining sections of the 2027 IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations are not all large, but each contributes to the way dangerous goods requirements are interpreted and applied in practice.
Clarifying documentation requirements, removing ambiguity around explosives compatibility, refining the treatment of radioactive material packages and updating technical definitions all support more consistent application of the regulations.
As with every new edition of the DGR, the important step for industry will be ensuring that procedures, systems and operational practices reflect the final requirements that take effect from 1 January 2027.