Canada Road & Rail Transport - Development of the Regulations

The TDG Regulations were originally put into law in 1992 as the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. In 2009, the act was amended to add a new definition for dangerous goods release, to reinforce the Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) program, to provide requirements for security related to dangerous goods, and to change or clarify a number of other details in the original regulations. The act continues to be amended to ensure its applicability to current transportation-related realities.

Informationally, the TDG Regulations are coordinated with other systems of regulations regarding the transport of dangerous goods. Most countries regulate the transport of hazardous materials by law, and several international treaties support cooperation across boundaries. Prominent among these documents are the "UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods," referred to as the "UN Recommendations." These serve as the foundation for many countries' national laws, including those of Canada. Key internationally focused regulations include the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG). These regulate the transport of dangerous goods by air and water.

In the United States, the terms "hazardous materials" or "HAZMAT" are used to refer to dangerous goods. Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (referred to as 49 CFR) includes rules related to the transport of hazardous materials in the United States. These regulations are occasionally referenced in the TDG Regulations.

To learn more about Transporting Dangerous Goods in Canada visit our Transporting Dangerous Good by Road & Rail Online Training web page.