Whether lithium-ion batteries, chemicals, flammable liquids or compressed gas containers — countless tons of dangerous goods are transported around the world every day. The smooth and safe transportation of these goods is crucial for the economy, society and the environment. But behind the inconspicuous movement of containers and trucks with warning symbols is a complex set of rules, a great deal of know-how — and a great deal of responsibility.

What is dangerous goods anyway?

Dangerous goods are substances and objects whose transportation may pose a risk to people, the environment or property due to physical, chemical or biological properties. The transport of these substances is subject to clear legal requirements worldwide.

A few typical examples:

• Explosive substances (e.g. fireworks, ammunition)
• Flammable liquids (e.g. gasoline, alcohol)
• Gases under pressure (e.g. helium, acetylene)
• Corrosive or toxic substances (e.g. sulfuric acid, pesticides)
• lithium-ion batteries (e.g. in e-bikes, e-cars or notebooks)

Who regulates what?

The transport of dangerous goods is controlled nationally and internationally by various legal regulations. The most important are:

• ADR (Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par route): for the road transportation
• RID (Règlement concernant le transport international ferroviaire des marchandises dangereuses): for the Rail transportation
• IMDG code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code): for the maritime transport
• ICAO-TI/IATA-DGR: for the air traffic

These regulations specify exactly how dangerous goods are to be packaged, marked, declared and transported — from usable vehicles to safety equipment and staff training.

Safety starts before transportation

Safe transportation of dangerous goods starts long before the product is loaded. The logistical processes must be precisely planned and documented — from the classification of the dangerous goods to the selection of suitable packaging and the mode of transport.

Important questions include:

• Which packaging is required by law for my product?
• Does the means of transport have to comply with certain safety measures?
• Does staff need special training?
• Which documents must be carried?
• Are there any route restrictions (e.g. tunnel bans)?

Technology and know-how: A must in dangerous goods logistics

Modern dangerous goods logistics is based on a variety of technical and organizational tools. These include:

• Telematics systems with temperature and motion sensors
• Live tracking for seamless monitoring of delivery
• Certified dangerous goods officer in the company
• Digital supporting documents and automated plausibility checks

Digitalization has also found its way into dangerous goods logistics — which significantly simplifies dealing with complex regulations and international requirements.

A topic with a future: batteries and e-mobility

With the boom in electric mobility, there is particular focus on a specific class of dangerous goods: lithium-ion batteries. These are considered potentially dangerous due to their chemical properties and high energy density — for example due to the risk of fire or explosion due to improper handling.

For freight forwarders, this means:

• Special packaging requirements
• Special labeling requirements
• Regular training for employees

The challenge: complex but manageable

The transportation of dangerous goods is not a standard logistical process — it requires experience, utmost care and continuous training. Specialized know-how is required, especially at a time when supply chains are becoming increasingly international and technologies are becoming more complex.

Companies that regularly work with dangerous goods or have them transported should therefore work with logistics partners who are really familiar with this area — and not only comply with the regulations, but also actively contribute to minimizing risks.