International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) Updates

The IMDG Code provides an international standard for the safe handling and transportation of dangerous goods. As part of the IMO’s regular review of the IMDG Code for new substances or updates to existing substances, Amendment 40 20 provides a complete replacement of the text of the code.

Updates to classification, segregation, packing, and marking have been made for various dangerous goods. Several footnotes within the text were updated to ensure that any mandatory provisions found in the footnotes are moved to the main body of the code.       

Effective Date: June 1, 2022

Source: MSC.477(102)

A unified interpretation of the IMDG Code has been adopted to provide guidance about the placement of cargo in relation to life saving appliances. Under the general provisions for stowage, paragraph 7.1.4.4.2 of the code requires that goods of class 1 except for division 1.4 shall be stowed not less than a horizontal distance of 12 meters from life saving appliances. The unified interpretation clarifies that “life saving appliances” are intended to mean only the main survival craft and rescue boats. The requirement is not intended to represent other life saving appliances, such as lifebuoys, life jackets, or remotely located life rafts. 

 

Effective Date: December 7, 2020

Sources: MSC.1/Circular 1626