Approval of a dangerous goods road tank vehicle design
Under the seventh edition of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code), the design of a tank that forms part of, or is used on a tank vehicle must be approved by the competent authority before it can be used to transport dangerous goods.
In NSW the competent authority is the EPA. On behalf of the EPA, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) administers the Dangerous Goods (Road & Rail Transport) Regulation 2009, which sets out requirements regarding tank design approval.
A dangerous goods vehicle licence will not be issued for a tank vehicle that does not have a design approval.
Applying for a tank vehicle design approval
To obtain a tank design approval, a tank manufacturer or other company must:
1. Complete and submit the application form. This form must be signed by a reviewing professional engineer. This engineer must:
- have appropriate qualifications at university level
- have expertise and experience in dangerous goods vehicle design
- hold or be eligible for membership of Engineers Australia in the occupational category of professional engineer at the member grade.
2. Along with the signed application form, complete and attach:
- the completed compliance reports for each applicable Australian Standard:
- copies of all relevant specifications, calculations, plans, drawings of the vehicle showing the means by which the tank is to form part of, or be attached to the vehicle
- any photographs of the vehicle (if already constructed)
- the plant design registration certificate (for pressure vessels)
- the application fee.
More detailed information is available in the application form.
Forward the completed form, along with the required information and application fee, to:
Chemicals and Radiation Licensing
Level 21
Office of Environment and Heritage
PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232
or send by email to d.goods@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Where the tank is intended to be used outside NSW, OEH will submit the design to the Competent Authorities Panel to consider for national approval at its next scheduled meeting.
Once the application has been approved, the applicant will receive a design approval number. This approval number must be included in a compliance plate fixed to the road tank vehicle as required in the ADG Code.
Pressure vessel design approval numbers
A pressure vessel design registration number should not be confused with a vehicle tank approval number. An application for a tank vehicle design approval where the tank is also a pressure vessel (e.g. LPG tank) must include a pressure vessel registration number issued by WorkCover (or its interstate equivalent) and all associated documentation.
Page last updated: 20 December 2011
