These Recommendations have been developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in light of technical progress the advent of new substances and materials the exigencies of modern transport systems and above all the requirement to ensure the safety of people property and the environment. They are addressed to governments and international organizations concerned with the regulation of the transport of dangerous goods. They do not apply to the bulk transport of dangerous goods in sea-going or inland navigation bulk carriers or tank-vessels which is subject to special international or national regulations.

The Model Regulations cover the classification of dangerous goods and their listing the use construction testing and approval of packagings and portable tanks and the consignment procedures (marking labelling placarding and documentation). They aim at ensuring a high level of safety by preventing accidents to persons and property and damage to the environment during transport and providing at the same time a uniform regulatory framework which can be applied worldwide for national or international transport by any mode.