At a Glance
- Legal basis
- ADR agreement (updated every 2 years)
- Current version
- ADR 2025
- Number of dangerous goods classes
- 9 main classes (13 subclasses)
- Validity of the ADR certificate
- 5 years
- Common everyday dangerous goods
- Lithium batteries (UN 3480/3481)
The 9 ADR classes at a glance
Class 1: explosive substances and articles (e.g. ammunition, fireworks). Class 2: gases (compressed, liquefied or dissolved – e.g. propane, oxygen). Class 3: flammable liquids (e.g. petrol, ethanol, paints). Class 4.1: flammable solids. Class 4.2: substances liable to spontaneous combustion. Class 4.3: substances which emit flammable gases on contact with water. Class 5.1: oxidising substances. Class 5.2: organic peroxides. Class 6.1: toxic substances. Class 6.2: infectious substances. Class 7: radioactive material. Class 8: corrosive substances (e.g. battery acid, cleaning agents). Class 9: miscellaneous dangerous substances (e.g. lithium batteries, environmentally hazardous substances).
Duties of the consignor
As the consignor of dangerous goods you must classify the goods correctly and determine the UN number, use suitable ADR-approved packaging, apply the prescribed marking, produce correct accompanying documents and inform the carrier. In the event of a breach the consignor is liable, even if the carrier accepted the goods.
Duties and equipment for drivers
Drivers carrying dangerous goods need a valid ADR certificate (dangerous goods driving licence), which must be renewed every five years. In addition, the following equipment is mandatory in the vehicle: fire extinguisher, personal protective equipment, wheel chocks, written instructions for every class of dangerous goods carried and – above certain quantities – orange-coloured warning plates.
Common mistakes in dangerous goods transport
The most common mistakes include: incorrect or missing UN numbers, packaging that is not ADR-approved, missing or incorrectly applied hazard labels and missing written instructions in the vehicle. Many everyday products such as lithium batteries (UN 3480/3481), paints and cleaning agents fall under ADR – even though consignors are often unaware of it.
