IATA Training, WHY??

In the United States of America the legal document for shipment of Hazardous Materials by Air is 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).

But wait ?? I thought to ship hazardous materials by aircraft I needed to get IATA training. And ..?? What about this thing called eye-kay-owe. (ICAO)? Or was it Bee-Eye-N-Gee-Owe? And what does any of this have to do with the price of peas in Peoria or beer in Baton Rouge?

Humm.. Like we would say on the Bayou, “Let me take a look see, and I'll try an almost explain it.”

It is true shipment of Haz-Mat by air in the US must be in compliance with 49 CFR.

49 CFR ,however, allows the use of ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air with some limitations. (ICAO stands for International Civil Aviation Organization part of the UN) Use and limitations are found in 49 CFR 171.22, 171.23, & 171.24.

Thats great but what about IATA?

IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association which is a trade organization comprised of member airlines. All major US carriers are members. IATA publishes the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) which are based on the ICAO technical instructions. In many cases the DGR are more restrictive.

It is generally accepted the DGR go beyond the ICAO technical instructions, which are allowed by 49 CFR. Proper training on the DGR along with US limitations and variations can be used to fulfill the training requirements 49 CFR has for hazardous materials air shipments

Although not legally binding member airlines require shippers to offer Dangerous Goods in accordance with the DGR.

So if you want to ship on their airplane you have to follow their rules.