Brussels,

Transport of Dangerous Goods

MOBILITY & TRANSPORT

​The Inland Transport of Dangerous Goods (Inland TDG) Risk Management Framework represents a collaborative initiative involving TDG Experts, DG MOVE, and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).

​Its primary objective is to standardize risk-based decision-making processes across the Inland Transport of Dangerous Goods sector to enhance the safety of transport operations.

Key goals and features of the framework include:
​

1. Harmonization of Safety Practices: The framework seeks to unify safety protocols and risk management strategies across different modes of inland transport, ensuring a consistent approach to handling dangerous goods.
2. Collaborative Development: Experts from various transport sectors, including road, rail, and inland waterways, have collectively contributed to the development of the framework. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that the framework is comprehensive and considers the unique challenges and requirements of each transport mode.
3. Establishing a Level Playing Field: By standardizing risk management practices, the framework aims to create equitable conditions for all inland transport modes. This equal footing helps in fair competition and ensures that safety is a paramount concern across all sectors involved in the transport of dangerous goods.

In essence, the Inland TDG Risk Management Framework is geared towards enhancing the safety of transporting dangerous goods inland by fostering collaboration among experts and harmonizing risk management practices across various transport modes.

The Risk Management Framework

The Inland Transport of Dangerous Goods (Inland TDG) Risk Management Framework is a comprehensive structure designed to standardize and enhance safety measures across different modes of inland transport for dangerous goods.

​The framework is supported by a series of guides and reference materials, and it incorporates a continual improvement process. Here's a breakdown of its components:

Guides:

1. Framework guide : This guide outlines the fundamental principles, objectives, and key elements of the framework, providing an overview of its structure and purpose.
2. Guide for risk estimation: This document details the harmonized technical steps necessary for conducting reliable, traceable, and high-quality risk estimations. It builds upon current practices to ensure consistency and accuracy in risk assessment.
3. Guide for decision-making: This guide presents the harmonized principles and processes for decision-making associated with risk estimations. It emphasizes the importance of quality, transparency, and communication among stakeholders, setting clear implementation objectives for these aspects.
4. Glossary: The glossary compiles definitions used within the framework. It includes legal and normative definitions already in existence and supplements these with additional clarifications needed for a thorough understanding of the framework.

Reference Material:
The reference material consists of various technical documents and data sets designed to aid users in implementing the framework effectively. It includes:

• Guidance for Users: While providing valuable information, the reference materials are suggestions, and users of the framework are ultimately responsible for its proper application.
• Adaptation to Specific Needs: Users are encouraged to use their own relevant information or data if the provided material is not applicable to a specific case. They are also invited to contribute to the enhancement of public reference material through the framework's continual improvement process.

​
Continual Improvement Process:

• The framework is inherently dynamic, with an embedded continual improvement process overseen by the Expert Users and Development Group (EUDG), under the guidance of DG MOVE and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).
• The process is focused on regularly updating the framework and its reference materials to reflect scientific and technical advancements, ensuring that the framework remains up-to-date and effective.

In summary, the Inland TDG Risk Management Framework is a robust, evolving structure aimed at standardizing risk management practices in the transport of dangerous goods inland, supported by comprehensive guides, reference materials, and an ongoing commitment to improvement and adaptation.