Transport Canada Considers Shipper Registration Requirement for Dangerous Goods

Transport Canada, which promotes safety in the transportation marketplace, is proposing to introduce a new requirement for businesses involved in the transport of dangerous goods to register and provide information on their dangerous goods activities.This new requirement would be a client identification database that will identify where the transportation of dangerous goods sites are located. Transport Canada notes the importance of this change, especially following the tragic events of the Lac-Megantic rail disaster in 2013.  

This new database will:

• identify the regulated TDG community
• enable rigorous risk-based assessment of dangerous goods sites
• allow for targeted outreach, awareness, and regulatory consultation efforts

Transport Canada expects the database to result in:

• more efficient and effective communication with stakeholders (less “consultation fatigue”)
• targeted outreach and awareness, increasing our ability to effectively share knowledge and strengthen compliance
• strengthened risk-based oversight and safer transportation of dangerous goods
• improved data-gathering capabilities, stronger predictive analytics and better identification of emerging issues

Who is required to register? Anyone who imports, offers for transport, handles or transports dangerous goods in Canada. There are a few exemptions from the requirement for personal use, medical devices and emergency response, in direct support of farming activities, and under the direction or control of a Minister (for example National Defence Minster). Transport Canada expects to launch the online database in 2020 or 2021. To view the full notice, please click here.

TIA Environmental & Hazmat Subcommittee will examine the issue, and develop any necessary policy positions.

If you have any questions, please contact TIA Advocacy at advocacy@tianet.org or 703-299-5700.