Dangerous Goods (ADR) Transport

What Is ADR Transport?

Dangerous goods transport is the conveyance by road of products that are explosive, flammable, toxic, corrosive or harmful to the environment from one point to another. To bind these transports to international standards, the ADR Agreement prepared within the United Nations comprehensively regulates the requirements for vehicle equipment, packaging, labelling, driver qualification and documentation. Dangerous goods transports carried out by road in Türkiye are also subject to standards parallel to ADR within the framework of domestic legislation.

As Çevikoğlu Logistics, we do not leave dangerous goods transport to chance. With our ADR-certified vehicle fleet, our SRC5 and ADR-certified driver staff and our experienced safety adviser, we manage every shipment within the framework of legislation from the planning stage to delivery confirmation.

Hazard Classes and Goods Carried

ADR divides dangerous goods into nine main classes. The classes we mainly serve as Çevikoğlu Logistics are: Class 2 (compressed and liquefied gases), Class 3 (flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, solvents and resins), Class 4.1 (flammable solids and self-reactive substances), Class 6.1 (toxic substances such as agricultural chemicals), Class 8 (corrosives such as acids and bases). Among the product groups we most often carry sector-wise are industrial chemicals, paint and varnish, fuel derivatives, construction chemicals and agricultural pesticides.

Before each shipment, the product’s UN number, packing group and special provisions are checked to determine the suitable vehicle type, labelling set and emergency instructions. When hazard classes outside the transport scope or quantity limits are exceeded, the customer is explicitly informed.

Our ADR-Certified Vehicle Fleet

The vehicles used in transports within the scope of ADR must meet different equipment requirements according to the hazard class. Our vehicles are equipped with approved fire extinguishing systems, earthing equipment, in-vehicle electrical safety hardware and EX/AT-approved components. For liquid chemical and fuel shipments requiring tank transport, approved ADR tankers are used. Vehicle-based ADR compliance checks (inspection and certificate renewal) are carried out on a regular schedule; vehicles whose periods have expired are removed from dangerous goods loads.

Labelling, Orange Plate and Document Management

In dangerous goods transport, visual marking is a critical communication tool for both inspection authorities and emergency response teams. In every ADR shipment, vehicles are equipped with orange reflective plates showing the hazard identification number (top line) and the UN number (bottom line) of the goods carried, with hazard-class labels and, where necessary, the environmental hazard mark. All plates and labels are verified with a pre-loading checklist.

On the documentation side, the transport document, written emergency instructions (Tremcard), the vehicle approval certificate (ADR certificate) and the driver’s ADR certificate are prepared completely and kept in the vehicle. In international transports, customs processes and the special requirements of the receiving country are also observed.

Safety Adviser Supervision

As a legal requirement of dangerous goods transport, we carry out the processes requiring the appointment of an ADR safety adviser (DGSA) with experienced adviser support. The safety adviser inspects the ADR compliance of loading procedures, vehicle equipment and the document set; coordinates personnel dangerous goods awareness training; and ensures that the emergency action plan is activated in the event of an accident or non-compliance. Annual compliance reports are prepared on time and archived.

Emergency Instructions and Equipment

As required by ADR, every dangerous goods vehicle carries a substance-specific Tremcard (written emergency instructions), at least two fire extinguishers, wheel chocks for use at the loading site, reflectors and warning triangles, and protective equipment for the driver (gloves, goggles, vest, mask). In toxic or corrosive substance transports, additional chemical-resistant clothing and eye-wash solution are also added to the vehicle kit. The emergency equipment is checked before every service, and the vehicle does not set off until any missing item is completed.