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Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser

Regulators
  • Department for Transport
Nations
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
Sectors
  • Transport

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Department for Transport
Address

Road Freight Division
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR

Phone number
+44 (0)207 944 2251

Regulation

Regulation summary

A DGSA is responsible for helping to prevent the risks inherent in the carriage of dangerous goods, specifically the risk to people, property and the environment.

Any undertaking that consigns, transports, packs, fills, loads or unloads dangerous goods on a regular basis – by road, rail or inland waterway – must appoint a DGSA. There are exemptions to the requirement to appoint a DGSA, depending on how often your business handles dangerous goods and in what quantities.

DGSAs are not expected to monitor procedures related to the carriage of dangerous goods by sea or air.

The current international regulations containing this requirement are:
• The Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)
• Annex I of the Convention Concerning International Carriage by Rail (RID). Annex I is the Regulations Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail.
• European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN). Please note: Great Britain is not signed up to ADN.

The current national legislation containing this requirement is the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009.

Please note: DfT does not hold a centralised register of qualified DGSAs.

Regulation type

Certification

Reserved activities

Within the context of ADR and RID, only individuals with DGSA Certification can legally carry out the activities of a DGSA (as outlined below).

Only those individuals who hold DGSA Certification can use the professional title - DGSA.

Main tasks of a DGSA include:
• advising undertakings on the safe transport of dangerous goods
• monitoring undertaking's compliance with dangerous goods regulations
• preparing an annual report about the performance of the undertaking in transporting dangerous goods
• investigating any accidents or infringements of regulations and preparing reports
• monitoring the provision of training and advice to other staff

For a full list of responsibilities please refer to ADR/ RID 1.8.3.3.

Protected titles

DGSA


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

DGSAs must pass written examinations. On passing the examination a DGSA certificate, valid for 5 years, is issued specifying the mode(s) of transport (road, rail, inland waterway) and the classes of dangerous goods that the DGSA is qualified to monitor and advise on.

A DfT approved examination and certificate-issuing regime applies throughout the UK. DGSA certificates are mutually recognised by all contracting parties, namely in countries which are signatories to RID, ADR or ADN.

The DfT has appointed the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) as its agent to organise, set and mark the examinations and issue the DGSA certificates in the UK. A DGSA certificate is issued to a candidate on successfully passing DfT approved examinations.

Professionals from other UK nations

Routes to recognition within the UK

Separate but similar legislation has been made available in Northern Ireland, known as the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSE NI) are the Regulator within Northern Ireland.

More about recognition within the UK
https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/carriage-dangerous-goods

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
Summary of routes

ADR and RID are international agreements, therefore many countries across the globe that are signed up to these agreements have a route for becoming a DGSA.

DGSA certificates are mutually recognised by all contracting parties, namely in countries which are signatories ADR. The requirements are harmonised between all states and are specified within Chapter 1.8 of ADR and RID.

However, the routes to becoming a DGSA will differ from country to country, depending on how that country interprets the international regulations or due to national legislation.

To learn more about DGSA training, examinations and certification within these other signatories, please contact the relevant responsible authority using the list of contact details linked below.

More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/competent-authorities

Registration


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009

Title of relevant act or charter

Annex I of the Convention Concerning International Carriage by Rail (RID). Annex I is the Regulations Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail - https://otif.org/en/?page_id=1105

European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN) - https://unece.org/about-adn
Please note: Great Britain is not signed up to ADN.

The Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)

Website link to legislation
https://unece.org/about-adr

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.