UNITED

NATIONS	ST

Secretariat	Distr.

GENERAL

ST/SG/AC.10/1998/40

25 September 1998

Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE

TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

(Twentieth session,

Geneva, 7-16 December l998,

agenda item 2 (c)(ii))

WORK OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS

ON THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

Draft amendments to the Model Regulations

on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

Information within the basic shipping description

Transmitted by the Expert from the United States of America

Background

1.	At the fifteenth session, the Sub-Committee adopted text proposed in document ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/1998/7 which amended paragraph 5.4.1.2.2 of the Recommendations to prohibit the interspersing of additional information within the basic description. During the discussion of the proposal, there was some concern that by placing limits on what may be included as part of the basic description, certain helpful information would no longer be allowed. The two concerns identified were the use of lower case type that is associated with the proper shipping name in the dangerous goods list and in the case of solutions the concentration. In this respect it was noted that modifications to proper shipping names as described in Chapter 3.1 could be included in the basic description as they were authorized modifications of the proper shipping name. The expert from the United States of America provides this paper to clarify the provisions in the Model Regulations in respect to the concerns that were raised. (see ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/30 paras. 123-126).

GE.98

Lower Case Type

2.	The last sentence of paragraph 3.1.2.1 already states that the lower case text associated with a proper shipping name need not be used. Conversely, this language is also taken to mean that if deemed appropriate it could be used. This could be more clearly stated and a minor revision is proposed.

Proposal

3.	Amend the last sentence of paragraph 3.1.2.1 by adding the italicized text as follows:

"Portions of an entry appearing in lower case need not be considered part of the proper shipping name but may be used, as appropriate."

Solution Concentrations

4.	While paragraph 3.1.3.2 requires use of the word SOLUTION or MIXTURE, there is no provision permitting the concentration of the solution or mixture to be included. The expert from the United States of America believes that it should be permissible to include the concentration and accordingly proposes an amendment to paragraph 3.1.3.2.

Proposal

4.	Amend paragraph 3.1.3.2 by adding the italicized text as follows:

"3.1.3.2	For solutions and mixtures treated according to the provisions given for the dangerous substance, the qualifying word "SOLUTION" or "MIXTURE", as appropriate, shall be added as part of the proper shipping name, e.g. "ACETONE SOLUTION". In addition, the concentration of the solution or mixture may also be indicated, e.g., "ACETONE 75% SOLUTION"."

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