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Excerpts from chapter 7.5 of ADR
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7.5.7 Handling and stowage

7.5.7.1 Where appropriate the vehicle or container shall be fitted with devices to facilitate securing and handling of the dangerous goods. Packages containing dangerous substances and unpackaged dangerous articles shall be secured by suitable means capable of restraining the goods (such as fastening straps, sliding slatboards, adjustable brackets) in the vehicle or container in a manner that will prevent any movement during carriage which would change the orientation of the packages or cause them to be damaged. When dangerous goods are carried with other goods (e.g. heavy machinery or crates), all goods shall be securely fixed or packed in the vehicles or containers so as to prevent the release of dangerous goods. Movement of packages may also be prevented by filling any voids by the use of dunnage or by blocking and bracing. Where restraints such as banding or straps are used, these shall not be over-tightened to cause damage or deformation of the package *1). The requirements of this paragraph are deemed to be complied with if the cargo is secured in accordance with standard EN 12195-1:2010.

7.5.7.2 Packages shall not be stacked unless designed for that purpose. Where different design types of packages that have been designed for stacking are to be loaded together, consideration shall be given to their compatibility for stacking with each other. Where necessary, stacked packages shall be prevented from damaging the package below by the use of load-bearing devices.

7.5.7.3 During loading and unloading, packages containing dangerous goods shall be protected from being damaged.

NOTE: Particular attention shall be paid to the handling of packages during their preparation for carriage, the type of vehicle or container on which they are to be carried and to the method of loading or unloading, so that accidental damage is not caused through dragging or mishandling the packages.

7.5.7.4 The provisions of 7.5.7.1 also apply to the loading, stowage and removal of containers, tankcontainers, portable tanks and MEGCs on to and from vehicles.

7.5.7.5 Members of the vehicle crew may not open a package containing dangerous goods.

7.5.7.6 Loading of flexible bulk containers

7.5.7.6.1 Flexible bulk containers shall be carried within a vehicle or container with rigid sides and ends that extend at least two-thirds of the height of the flexible bulk container. The vehicles used for carriage shall be equipped with a vehicle stability function approved in accordance with ECE Regulation No. 13 *2).

NOTE: When loading flexible bulk containers in a vehicle or container particular attention shall be paid to the guidance on the handling and stowage of dangerous goods referred to in 7.5.7.1 and to the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code).

7.5.7.6.2 Flexible bulk containers shall be secured by suitable means capable of restraining them in the vehicle or container in a manner that will prevent any movement during carriage which would change the position of the flexible bulk container or cause it to be damaged. Movement of the flexible bulk containers may also be prevented by filling any voids by the use of dunnage or by blocking and bracing. Where restraints such as banding or straps are used, these shall not be over-tightened to cause damage or deformation to the flexible bulk containers.

7.5.7.6.3 Flexible bulk containers shall not be stacked.


7.5.8 Cleaning after unloading

7.5.8.1 If, when a vehicle or container which has contained packaged dangerous goods is unloaded, some of the contents are found to have escaped, the vehicle or container shall be cleaned as soon as possible and in any case before reloading. 

If it is not possible to do the cleaning locally, the vehicle or container shall be carried, with due regard to adequate safety, to the nearest suitable place where cleaning can be carried out.

Carriage is adequately safe if suitable measures have been taken to prevent the uncontrolled release of the dangerous goods that have escaped.

7.5.8.2 Vehicles or containers which have been loaded with dangerous goods in bulk shall be properly cleaned before reloading unless the new load consists of the same dangerous goods as the preceding load.


7.5.9 Prohibition of smoking

Smoking shall be prohibited during handling operations in the vicinity of vehicles or containers and inside the vehicles or containers. This prohibition of smoking is also applicable to the use of electronic cigarettes and similar devices.


7.5.10 Precautions against electrostatic charges

In the case of flammable gases, or liquids with a flash-point of 60 °C or below, or UN No. 1361, carbon or carbon black, packing group II, a good electrical connection from the chassis of the vehicle, the portable tank or the tank-container to earth shall be established before tanks are filled or emptied. In addition, the rate of filling shall be limited.

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*1) Guidance on the stowage of dangerous goods can be found in the European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport published by the European Commission. Other guidance is also available from competent authorities and industry bodies.
*2) ECE Regulation No. 13 (Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles of categories M, N and O with regards to braking).