ADN

ADN (L'Accord europeen relatif au transport international des merchandises Dangereuses par voies de Navigation interieures) is the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways. It was adopted in May 2000 by a Diplomatic Conference held in Geneva, and entered in to force on 29th February 2008.

The ADN is to water transport what ADR is to road.

It is important to note the distinction between open sea transport (which is IMO's responsibility, the IMDG Code) and inland waterways (such as the rivers Rhine, Rhone, Waal, Danube, etc).

The two-volume ADN manuals explain all the exceptions and particulairities concerning the shipping procedures and preparations, documents, etc. Under the agreement, all European countries agree to adhere to the same methods of training, control and activities of security agents in this field. But, as the UK has no international inland waterways it is not a signatory to the agreement, and ADN is therefore not used here.

The full text of ADN 2009 can be downloaded free-of-charge from the United Nations by following this link - Opens in a new window: http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/adn/adn2009/09files_e.html