Dangerous Goods

Our Dangerous Goods Office is the UK authority for the certification of packaging and intermediate bulk containers used for the transport of dangerous goods, in accordance with national and international regulations.

We are also responsible for the appointment of suitable test and inspection bodies to conduct initial and periodic inspections of tanks and pressure receptacles in accordance with ADR, TPED and the UK carriage regulations.

We operate a telephone and email enquiry service on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) and undertake several other functions in connection the UN based dangerous goods transport regulations.

Packaging Approvals Database

Certificates for Approved Dangerous Goods Packagings are issued on the basis of test reports received from UKAS accredited test stations (for Dangerous Goods Packagings) in the UK.

Dangerous Goods Seminar

The 2024 Dangerous Goods Seminar - information coming soon

UK Appointed Inspection Bodies

The scope and extent of any appointee’s capability should be established by reference to their UKAS schedule of accreditation and/or directly with the body concerned.

Using UN Packaging

The regulations require the packaging supplier to provide the user with all the information necessary to enable them to prepare the package for transport in accordance with the approved specification.

Dangerous Goods Certification Fees

View our costs and charges here

Packaging Revalidation at 5 Years

At least once every five years, the certification of each UN approved packaging type must be re-validated.

Applying for UN Approvals

The UN Testing and Certification Certification System.

DfT/VCA Guidance

VCA Guidance and Technical Bulletins – Guidance on the Interpretation of ADR Chapter 6.10 for Vacuum Operated Waste Tanks The Department for Transport Dangerous Goods Division (DfT DGD) and VCA DGO have provided their interpretation on a number of issues…

Training & Consultancy

The Dangerous Goods Office team offer specialist training courses which can be undertaken on your premises.

Annual Fees FAQs

In October each year, registered holders of Dangerous Goods Packaging Certificates will receive an invoice for the renewal of their approval(s) for 12 months commencing 1st January the following year.

Bulk Containers

Certain dangerous goods may be carried in bulk in containers that have been approved in accordance with the Convention on Safe Containers

Application for Appointment

Arrangements for the appointment of bodies for tank inspection may be found HERE (PDF) Applicants must be accredited to EN ISO17020:2012, “General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection”, by the United Kingdom Accreditation service (UKAS)…