Transport of dangerous goods by road, inland waterways or rail: examination requirements for safety advisers

PURPOSE : to improve the safety of the transport of dangerous goods in the Community by harmonising to a high standard examination requirements for safety advisers. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Directive 2000/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on minimum examination requirements for safety advisers for the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterway. CONTENT : this Directive lays down the minimum examination requirements for the examination needed to obtain the EC certificate of training as safety adviser for the transport of dangerous goods provided for in Directive 96/35/EC. Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that safety advisers for the transport of dangerous goods are examined in such a way that they satisfy these minimum requirements. With regard to the examinations, the competent authority or examining body shall organise a compulsory written examination which it may supplement with an oral examination to check whether candidates possess the necessary level of knowledge required to carry out the tasks of advisor in order to obtain the EC certificate. The candidates shall be given a questionnaire consisting of 20 open questions relating to the subjects listed in Annex II. Among those subjects, particular attention should be given to the following topics: - general prevention and safety measures; - the classification of dangerous goods; - general packaging requirements, including tanks, tank containers and rail tankers; - danger marking and labels; - reference in transport documents; - handling and stowage; - the vocation of crews; - vehicle papers and transport certificates; - safety instructions; - transport equipment requirements. It should be noted that Member States shall assist one another in implementing this Directive. ENTRY INTO FORCE : this Directive shall enter into force on 19.05.2000.�