BADGP News Blog

The UK’s DVSA has been busy this first month of 2026. In light of DVSA’s increasing involvement in dangerous goods, in particular the DGSA exam arrangements a new layout of the DGSA exam and its requirements (syllabus) has been published on the UK Government You Gov web pages.

This is a clearer approach to the exam content, times and number of questions that are posed. New samples of a previous test paper in each exam has been provided but to date no guidance has been provided on sample answers, referencing or how the exam is marked.

The other publication  is their UK’  End of Year Annual Report Document Template for use by all DGSAs in the UK. Its use is not mandatory and it does not replace the version designed and provided for BADGP members. A full comparison of both reports will be provided in our next newsletter. 

The UK is required, as an ADR contracting party, to respond to a question at WP15 a few years ago to report on the progress and support that is provided to DGSAs. Initially the DfT reached out to BADGP for assistance which we gladly gave in the form of designing an End of Year Report template, providing feedback on the exam syllabus and creating the post exam DGSA+ programme. BADGP were asked to share with all DG professional the End of Year template and to extend the DGSA+ programme beyond its members. After consideration BADGP took the decision to keep the report and programme as BADGP member benefits.

It is good to see that the DVSA are providing template and further explanation for all DGSAs in the community but we are naturally going to state that BADGP membership provides much more in the way of developing skills and knowledge that are essential to all DG professionals.

We are delighted to announce registration is now open for the BADGP Webinar: 'IATA 2026 Updates' on Tuesday 10th February 2026, 13:00 GMT.

Every year the International Air Transport Association (IATA) updates the IATA Dangerous Goods Manual (DGR), in this webinar BADGP Committee Member John O'Shea highlights the significant changes for 2026 including looking at the changes made for Lithium Batteries. 

Our Presenter

We are delighted to have as our presenter:

John O’Shea, BADGP Committee Member

John is a DGSA and has many years of experience of the movement of dangerous goods by Air and has experience of working for Airlines, Integrators, Forwarders, and has also worked in Air Cargo IT.

To register for the webinar, please visit the following booking page: https://badgp.org/event-6509242

We are delighted to announce the 16th BADGP Annual General Meeting and Industry Seminar will take place at Stratford Manor Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford-on-Avon on Thursday 19th March 2026.

This year’s industry seminar will focus on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Pressure Equipment Regulations.

A huge thank you to the four members who have already signed up as sponsors — your support helps make this event possible!

There are still opportunities available for other members to get involved and showcase their organisation:

Sponsorship Options:

1. Full Sponsorship – £500

2. Promotional Material Distribution – £125

This is a fantastic way to increase your visibility and connect with key stakeholders in the industry.

If you are interested in sponsoring or would like more details, please email enquiries@badgp.org by Friday 23rd January 2026.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

Registration is Now Open for the BADGP 2026 AGM

Following our successful face-to-face AGM in March, we are delighted to announce the date for our 2026 AGM and Annual Industry Seminar.

16th AGM and Annual Industry Seminar: Thursday 19 March 2026 

The AGM will take place at Stratford Manor Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0PY

The AGM / Seminar is free-of-charge to all BADGP members. We recommend booking early as we expect this event to sell out.

AGM Register Here

We have now published the December 2025 edition of our Newsletter. For more details, please visit: BADGP Newsletters.

This edition includes the following articles:

BADGP MEMBERSHIP – A MILESTONE REACHED!
BADGP Committee Member Dan Lee provides an update on the BADGP membership numbers reaching an important milestone.

LITHIUM BATTERY POWER BANKS – THE BAN BEGINS
BADGP Committee Member and author of the BADGP Guide to Lithium Batteries, Dan Lee, comments on a recent air DG decision by Emirates airlines and provides further guidance for DG professionals.

LITHIUM BATTERY GUIDE FOR BADGP MEMBERS
In keeping with all of the other guides that we have produced solely for our members, BADGP announce the latest in their series: The BADGP Guide to Lithium Batteries. The guide will be available to BADGP members for download from the 1st January 2026 from the ‘Guides’ section on the BADGP website.

SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICS IN DANGEROUS GOODS MANAGEMENT: LESSONS FROM THE DUAL RPA/DGSA ROLE
BADGP member Sarah Hunak, Radiation Protection Adviser and Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser discusses sustainability and ethics in dangerous goods management.

ADR COMPLIANCE BULLETIN – DECEMBER 2025 - ADR 1.1.3.6 AND DGSA ANNUAL REPORTING
In this article, Goran Obad discusses the exemption from DGSA appointment under ADR 1.1.3.6. Goran also explains the different situations across the European Union countries.

CASE STUDY: WHEN THE CARGO FIGHTS THE TANK: A LESSON IN INERT GAS SYSTEM INTEGRITY
Amit Kumar, BADGP member and of Bulk Tainer Logistics talks us through a case study following the discovery of a suspected leak from a tank container during a pre-shipment check.

THE DG PROFESSIONAL V ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
This article was originally based on a piece written by BADGP Committee Member Oliver Fairbrother who bounced the idea over to his fellow Committee Member, Dan Lee, who took it, ran with it down the surrealist wing, and passed it back to Oliver, who dribbled it a bit – passed it forward to Dan for further AI tweaking and before they knew it they had a different take on a much-discussed subject that hopefully brought a wry smile to your faces.

CAA DANGEROUS GOODS TRAINING PROVIDER MEETING 26 NOVEMBER 2025
BADGP Committee Member Christopher Abrahams recently attended a CAA meeting to review and discuss the proposed changes to the IATA DG training arrangements. Here is a short report detailing what took place.

STATIC ELECTRICITY AND SOLVENTS – UPDATED SAFETY VIDEOS
BADGP Committee Member Bill Atkinson, Chief Executive, Solvents Industry Association provides us with information on the recently launched updated version of the Solvents and Static Electricity Safety Film. Bill provides us with links to the available films and to a number of free guidance documents which are available on the SIA website.

FROM THE WAREHOUSE TO THE BOARDROOM: BUILDING A CULTURE OF SAFETY IN DG HANDLING
BADGP member Amit Kumar, Bulk Tainer Logistics explains why strict adherence to safety protocols is critical.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS WORKING GROUP FOR UK RAIL TRANSPORT
In our quest to understand all aspects of the multi-modal arrangements for dangerous goods transportation – Martin Bloomfield (DGSA) from Network Rail provides an overview of the DGWG – Dangerous Goods Working Group for UK Rail Transport.

CALCIUM
To increase your knowledge and skills of specific chemicals we take a quick look at the element Calcium and explore some of its unusual properties, hazardous or otherwise.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS
BADGP member Richard Shreeve, Labeline provides us with a history of the dangerous goods regulations. Looking back at the early label designs and symbols and the changes that have been introduced over the years.

COMMON DANGERS IN TANK CONTAINER OPERATIONS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
BADGP member Amit Kumar, Bulk Tainer Logistics, discusses the critical dangers every tank container operator must know and provides information on how to prevent these dangers.

CALLING ALL MEMBERS! NATIONAL DANGEROUS GOODS AWARENESS DAY
The BADGP Committee are looking for volunteers to help put together the next National Dangerous Goods Awareness Day scheduled for the 9th July 2026. The subject will be Limited Quantities and this is an ideal opportunity to get involved with our very own National Day of Recognition and Awareness for the DG Community.

WHO ARE YOU?
BADGP are pleased to introduce you to some of the well-known ‘names’ in the industry, while they share a little information about themselves and their lives in dangerous goods. This month we introduce BADGP Committee Member and Events Chair, Beccy Ricketts.

DFT DGSA SURVEY
BADGP Committee Members Andy Holton, Dawn Kenyon and Dan Lee share their views and findings from the first ever DfT DGSA survey.

BADGP WEBINARS & EVENTS
Information regarding our upcoming events.

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Details of upcoming events from our Partner Organisation CHCS.

We are delighted to announce that we have published the slides and recording of our webinar, Mastering Dangerous Goods Documentation.

Presented by:

Beccy Ricketts, ADR Express Ltd and BADGP Committee

Richard Masters, Director of DG Masters Limited

John O’Shea, BADGP Committee Member

BADGP members can access the content from the link on the Past Events page of this website.

We are delighted to announce that we have published the slides and recording of our webinar, Investigation Skills.

Presented by:

Dan Lee, BADGP Committee member and Dan Lee Training.

Bill Atkinson, BADGP Committee member and Chief Executive, Solvents Industry Association.

BADGP members can access the content from the link on the Past Events page of this website.

We have now published the September 2025 edition of our Newsletter. For more details, please visit: BADGP Newsletters.

This edition includes the following articles:

I THOUGHT DG WEREN’T ALLOWED THROUGH THE CHANNEL TUNNEL?
BADGP member Ian Hancock and cargo securing specialist for Cordstrap UK discusses the common misconception that dangerous goods are not allowed through the channel tunnel. 

DENIAL AND DELAY
Dangerous Goods consignments sent by air from UK airports undergo x-ray screening to ensure that the cargo items do not contain any prohibited articles. This can be costly and add a time delay factor to the shipment especially where dense liquids are being shipped that cannot be effectively x-rayed. The only way to avoid the x-ray screening is to become a ‘known consignor’ under the UK’s Air Cargo Security Programme. BADGP member Jacob Sidebottom explains more about this process and in particular examines the issues of trying to ship radioactive material by air. 

THE HAZARDS OF UNPLANNED REACTIVITY WITHIN THE DG SUPPLY CHAIN
Ali Karim FRSC CChem provides BADGP members an insight into the dangers of unplanned reactivity when Oxygen [Class 2], Oxidising Agents [Class 5.1], Organic Peroxides [Class 5.2] come into contact with incompatible materials while in the Supply Chain.

MIXED PACKING
BADGP Committee and DGSA Trainer, Dan Lee cogitates on the subject of Mixed Packaging and presents the all too familiar information with some intriguing insights.

ADR AND AI
A timely few words of advice from BADGP Committee member, Dawn Kenyon, which I am sure we would do well to learn and quote verbatim when we are quizzed by those who believe that Artificial Intelligence will eventually replace the role of DGSA.

LITHIUM
To compliment the subject of our annual BADGP seminar this month we take a quick look at the element Lithium and explore some of its unusual properties, hazardous or otherwise.

SAFEGUARDING DANGEROUS GOODS TRANSPORT IN FRANCE: THE DGSA MISSION, TRAINING AND EXAM INSIGHTS
Martial Migné, ACSTMD, provides an introduction to the Conseillers à la Sécurité pour le Transport de Marchandises Dangereuses (CSTMD) (DGSA in English) and explains how they are pivotal in ensuring safe handling and transport of hazardous materials in France.

DANGEROUS GOODS IN E-COMMERCE: ARE AMAZON & ALIBABA COMPLYING WITH DG LAWS?
BADGP Amit Kumar, Bulk Tainer Logistics, discusses the hidden risks of mis-declared shipments in online retail.

WHY A DANGEROUS GOODS SAFETY ADVISOR WOULD CONDUCT DSEAR RISK ASSESSMENTS
BADGP Committee member Dawn Kenyon, RADCaT Ltd, explains why many DGSA's are broadening their remit to include risk assessments under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).

RQ RECEIVING ME?
A question raised in the BADGP Committee WhatsApp group prompted the need for many to understand the RQ arrangements when shipping dangerous goods to the USA. BADGP Committee member, Beccy Ricketts and Chairman of the Dangerous Goods Trainers Association, Jim Powell, have jointly penned this essential, must-read article for all BADGP members.

CASE STUDY: PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE ACTIVATION IN ANAEROBIC BIOMASS TANK STORAGE
A lessons learned report from BADGP member Amit Kumar, Bulk Tainer Logistics, highlighting the importance of proper filling limits and temperature control for gas-generating cargoes.

BADGP LITHIUM BATTERY SEMINAR – EVENT SUMMARY
Dawn Kenyon, RADCaT Ltd provides readers with an event summary from the recent BADGP Lithium Batteries Seminar.

WHO ARE YOU?
BADGP are pleased to introduce you to some of the well-known ‘names’ in the industry, while they share a little information about themselves and their lives in dangerous goods. This month we introduce Dan Lee.

BADGP WEBINARS & EVENTS
Information regarding our upcoming events.

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Details of upcoming events from our Partner Organisation CHCS.

BADGP December Newsletter Contributions 

• December Newsletter, deadline for article contributions, 1st December 2025

We accept articles from members and non-members, wherever you are in the World. 

You can find out more on our BADGP Newsletter web page and send your contributions to enquiries@badgp.org. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions!

Limited Quantities Training for Drivers

1. We are aware that some misleading information by various companies is being presented as a ‘new’ training compliance need following the closing of the training gap that existed between ADR 1.3, Training Requirements, ADR 3.4, Limited Quantities and ADR 8.2.3, Training of other personnel involved in the carriage of dangerous goods. This requirement has been clarified in ADR 2025.
   
   
2. The requirement for all employees of a company (undertaking) to receive training in both general awareness and function specific commensurate with the roles that they perform for that undertaking is not a new thing - this includes drivers who do not hold the ADR training certificate, loaders, unloaders, fillers etc.
   
   
3. It has come to our attention that some companies (undertakings) who employ drivers transporting dangerous goods below the ADR threshold values, or as Limited or Excepted Quantities, fail to provide them with the requisite knowledge to be able to deal with dangerous goods.
   
   
4. The recent tightening up of the statements in ADR, as quoted in paragraph 1 above, requires all companies to provide dangerous goods awareness and functional specific training which should include the subjects of Limited Quantities. Such training has to be recorded with suitable training records that must be kept for 6 years. All consignors, carriers and 3rd parties that engage driving services should, as part of their due diligence checks, confirm that any driver engaged with the transport of dangerous goods offered as Limited Quantities or at quantities below the ADR transport category thresholds, have received the required general and function specific training as detailed at ADR 1.3.
   
   
5. As far as we are aware there is no specific Limited Quantities training qualification or approved training body certificate that will prove that a person has reached a required level of knowledge and skill and that the inaccurate information that is currently being presented as fact, is misinformed.
   
   
6. Dangerous Goods training in both the awareness and function specific formats have always been a legal requirement under ADR within the UK. The recent misinformed call to alert non-compliant undertakings of a rule change, that has always been in existence, is further evidence that there are still a lot of people within the DG transport realm that have either received poor or no dangerous goods awareness or function specific training.
   
   
7. BADGP doesn’t conduct or endorse any dangerous goods training - but if we did, we would make sure that we got our facts right first.

BADGP Committee