How Dangerous Goods Regulations Are Made—and Why the UN Still Leads the Way

When it comes to regulating the transport of hazardous materials, the foundation starts at the international level. The best place to understand the process is with the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods—a long-standing body that plays a central role in shaping how dangerous goods are classified, packaged, and moved around the world.

The UN Subcommittee: Where It All Begins

This subcommittee is made up of regulators, industry groups, packaging manufacturers, battery makers, and other stakeholders. It meets twice a year in Geneva, Switzerland—once in the summer and once in early winter. Over a two-year cycle, proposals are brought forward to modify the UN’s Model Regulations, often referred to as the “Orange Book.”

These proposals can range from minor edits to major initiatives. After four meetings across two years, the subcommittee determines which changes will be adopted in the next edition of the UN Model Regulations.

From the UN to National Laws

The UN regulations are not enforced directly. Instead, they serve as the baseline for countries and transport agencies around the world. In the United States, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) uses these updates to inform changes to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations—primarily 49 CFR Parts 100–180.

While the UN operates on a predictable two-year cycle, domestic implementation may lag. Still, the end goal is consistent: align national rules with international standards to promote safety and streamline global commerce.

Harmonization Across Transport Modes

This international alignment doesn’t stop at country borders. It extends into how goods move across different transport modes. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) oversees maritime shipping via the IMDG Code, while the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) governs air transport through its Technical Instructions. Both organizations synchronize their rules with the UN’s recommendations.

The result is a more cohesive global system. If countries had wildly different rules—say, between the U.S. and Brazil—it would severely hinder trade and logistics. Harmonization ensures goods can flow more efficiently across borders.

Special Initiatives for Emerging Risks

In addition to the standing regulatory bodies, special task forces are sometimes formed to address emerging or complex issues. These aren’t formal regulators, but their work often shapes future regulations.

One major example is the SAE G-27 committee, convened by ICAO to create packaging standards for lithium batteries shipped by air. Formed in 2016, this group includes regulators, air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, and battery producers. Their goal is to develop a packaging standard capable of containing a thermal event, such as a lithium battery fire.

Global Collaboration in Action

SAE G-27 meets monthly via conference calls and holds two to three in-person meetings each year. These rotate globally—recent meetings have taken place in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan. Once the committee finalizes a standard, SAE publishes it and presents it to regulators like ICAO for possible adoption.

Once the standard is formally approved, the committee typically dissolves. This cycle of targeted collaboration and dissolution allows regulators to tap specialized knowledge without permanently expanding bureaucracy.

Lithium Battery Reclassification: A Work in Progress

Another example of this model is the ongoing UN-led initiative to reclassify lithium batteries. Launched in 2017, this project brings together regulators and industry experts to rethink how lithium cells are defined and handled in transport. Over the next several years, this work is expected to drive major changes in how lithium battery shipments are regulated worldwide.

The Structure Behind Safer Transport

The pattern is consistent: international experts propose and debate changes, regulatory bodies filter those into national frameworks, and special groups step in to tackle emerging issues. This layered system allows regulations to adapt while maintaining global consistency.

Key Takeaways

• • The UN Subcommittee sets the foundation for hazardous materials transport regulations globally.
  
• • Every two years, the UN updates its Model Regulations, which guide national and modal standards.
  
• • U.S. regulations (49 CFR) are aligned with UN recommendations through PHMSA updates.
  
• • Maritime (IMO) and air (ICAO) rules are similarly harmonized through the IMDG Code and Technical Instructions.
  
• • Task groups like SAE G-27 develop technical standards that often become regulation.
  
• • A major reclassification of lithium batteries is currently underway and will reshape future rules.
  

Final Thought

Dangerous goods regulations don’t appear out of thin air. They’re the result of coordinated, multi-year efforts by international experts, regulators, and industry leaders. Understanding how these rules come together helps demystify the process—and prepares businesses to stay ahead of what’s coming next.