Press Release
ECE/TRANS/00/6
Geneva, 26 May 2000
DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE ADOPTS EUROPEAN AGREEMENT
FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS
BY INLAND WATERWAYS
A Diplomatic Conference convened jointly by the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) and the Central Commission for the Navigation on
the Rhine (CCNR) concluded today with the adoption of a European Agreement concerning the
international Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN).
Four countries, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Slovakia, have
subsequently signed the Agreement. Other countries were expected to sign in the next few
days.
The ADN, which consists of a main legal text and Regulations annexed
thereto, aims at:
ensuring a high level of safety of the international carriage of
dangerous goods by inland waterways;
contributing effectively to the protection of the environment, by
preventing any pollution resulting from accidents or incidents during such carriage; and
facilitating transport operations and promoting international trade
of chemicals.
The annexed Regulations contain provisions concerning dangerous
substances and articles, provisions concerning their carriage in packages and in bulk on
board inland navigation vessels and tank vessels, as well as provisions concerning the
construction and operation of such vessels. They also address requirements and procedures
for inspections, issue of certificates of approval, recognition of classification,
societies, monitoring, and training and examination of experts.
These regulations, at the time of adoption of the Agreement, are the
same as those applicable on the Rhine, and the Agreement is therefore intended to ensure
the same high level of safety on the entire European Inland Waterways Network.
A resolution for the follow-up to the Conference, which was also
adopted, intends to create a mechanism to prepare the entry into force of the Agreement by
keeping the annexed Regulations up to date in the light of technical progress and by
preparing in advance the procedures for recognition of classification societies.
The Final Act of the Conference was signed by 15 countries, including
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy,
Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia and Switzerland.
For further information, please contact
José Capel Ferrer, Director or
Olivier Kervella, Chief of the Dangerous Goods and Special Cargoes Section
Transport Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel.: (41) 22 917 24 00 / 917 24 56
Fax: (41) 22 917 00 39
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm
<
In order to provide you with a
better service, we would appreciate it if you would send a copy of your article to: Information Unit, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), Palais des
Nations, Room 356, CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland,
Tel: +(41 22) 917 44 44, Fax: +(41 22) 917 05 05,
E-mail: [email protected],
Website: http://www.unece.org
Thank you. |