ADR certification

What is ADR certification?

An ADR certificate does not always mean the same thing. For example, there is an ADR certificate of professional competence for drivers, whilst certain vehicles require a separate ADR certificate of approval. Other staff involved in transport are subject to training requirements appropriate to their roles.

For vehicle manufacturers and hauliers, the technical aspects are also important. Certain ADR vehicles must meet specific requirements regarding their construction and electrical installation. Vehicle lighting also plays a role in this. To understand the general meaning of the regulations, please also read about what ADR entails.

Who needs an ADR certificate?

Not everyone involved in the transport of dangerous goods requires the same ADR certificate. Specific training requirements apply to drivers. Depending on the type of transport, a driver may need an ADR certificate of professional competence.

Training requirements also apply to other staff involved in the transport of dangerous goods. The specific training required depends on their duties and responsibilities.

There are also various exemptions under ADR. Transporting dangerous goods therefore does not automatically mean that every driver must hold an ADR certificate of professional competence in every situation.

When does a vehicle need an ADR certificate?

Nor does every vehicle used to transport dangerous goods automatically require a separate ADR certificate of approval.

ADR distinguishes between different vehicle types to which specific technical regulations apply, including EX/II, EX/III, FL and AT vehicles. These vehicle categories are used for various modes of transport of dangerous goods.

For these vehicles, ADR sets requirements regarding, amongst other things, the construction and electrical equipment. The vehicle’s ADR certificate must therefore be distinguished from the driver’s ADR certificate of professional competence.

Are there any requirements for vehicle lighting in ADR transport?

Yes. ADR also sets out lighting requirements for certain vehicles transporting dangerous goods. These are set out in Part 9, amongst the technical regulations for the vehicle’s electrical equipment. A specific example: light sources with a screw fitting are not permitted.

For vehicle manufacturers, it doesn’t stop there. A suitable light must also be correctly integrated into the electrical system. This includes the wiring, the connections and the circuit protection. The exact regulations that apply depend on the ADR vehicle type and the application. In the article on ‘ ’, find out where to install ADR lighting.

Is LED lighting ADR-certified?

The terms ‘ADR-certified lighting’, ‘ADR-approved lighting’ and ‘ADR lighting’ are widely used in the vehicle lighting market. Technically, these terms require some clarification.

ADR is not, in fact, a general product approval under which every individual LED light receives a universal ADR certificate. The ADR regulations set out requirements for, amongst other things, the construction and electrical equipment of specific vehicles that transport dangerous goods.

ECE R105 also plays an important role in the type approval of vehicles intended for the transport of dangerous goods. This regulation contains specific provisions for the construction of such vehicles and is aligned with the technical requirements set out in ADR.

When lighting is marketed as ADR-compliant, it is therefore important to check what this compliance is based on and for which application the lighting is intended. Take a look at TRALERT®’s ADR lighting and cabling too .

What ADR classes are there?

Under ADR, dangerous goods are classified according to the hazard they pose. There are nine main classes:

1. Class 1: explosive substances and articles
2. Class 2: gases
3. Class 3: flammable liquids
4. Class 4: flammable solids and related hazards
5. Class 5: oxidising substances and organic peroxides
6. Class 6: toxic and infectious substances
7. Class 7: radioactive materials
8. Class 8: corrosive substances
9. Class 9: miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Within these classes, there are further sub-categories. Which classification applies depends on the features of the substance or object in question.

What do packaging groups I, II and III mean?

For various dangerous goods, a packaging group is used alongside the ADR class. This indicates the degree of hazard within the relevant classification:

• Packaging Group I: great danger
• Packaging Group II: medium hazard
• Packaging Group III: low hazard

Not every ADR class uses packing groups. The packing group is therefore not a general classification that applies to every dangerous substance.

Frequently asked questions about ADR certification

Is an ADR certificate always required when transporting dangerous goods?

No. The specific requirements depend, amongst other things, on the dangerous goods, the quantity, the method of transport, the vehicle and any ADR exemptions. Nor is a separate ADR certificate of approval for the vehicle required for every instance of transporting dangerous goods.

Is an ADR certificate for a driver the same as an ADR certificate for a vehicle?

No. The ADR certificate of professional competence relates to the driver’s training and professional competence. An ADR certificate of approval for a vehicle relates to the compliance of certain vehicle types with the applicable technical regulations.

Do vehicle lights need to be ADR-certified?

This does not mean that every light must have a separate and universal ADR certificate. ADR sets technical requirements for the electrical equipment of specific ADR vehicles, in which lighting also plays a role. When assembling or modifying an ADR vehicle, it is therefore necessary to assess whether both the lighting and the electrical installation are suitable for the application in question.

What is the difference between ADR and ECE R105?

ADR sets out international regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by road. The agreement covers, amongst other things, substances, packaging, transport, training, vehicle equipment and technical requirements. ECE R105 focuses more specifically on the approval of vehicles intended for the transport of dangerous goods. Both regulations are closely linked, but have different scopes of application.

Would you like to select lighting or cabling for a specific ADR vehicle? Ask TRALERT® for technical advice on the application and connection.