Vote for change and better HazMat labeling: support the UNECOSOC transport of dangerous goods, toxic and flammable gases

The CTIF Commission for Hazardous Materials is asking for support in creating a change in the labelling system for transporting toxic and flammable gases. There is an international referendum on this topic in Geneve July 1 - 5, so please follow the instructions in this post and send the attached files to all interested decision makers you know in your area. 

Dear presidents, dear delegates, dear friends!

In the name of the CTIF Hazmat Commission we will ask you to help us with the support for a change of the labeling of toxic and flammable gases.

We are writing to you with a request for support.

In July 2019 the CTIF Hazmat Commission together with the country of Spain will present a joint proposal to the United Nations ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, in Geneva for a vote.

This proposal brings a better differentiation of toxic or flammable gases for our first responders in regards to the labelling of dangerous goods on all modes of transport (road, rail, marine and air).

The advantages of this proposal are:

 - Easier to identify the label from a distance

- Differentiation of gases from flammable solids, toxic or flammable liquids

- Better awareness for all everyone involved (Education, transport, accident,...)

- Waving the flag for all firefighters worldwide

The period of transition will be around five years and cause minimal costs to industry and logistics companies.

To show the clarify the current situation you will find the current and proposed labels with the addition of the compressed gas symbol in the file attached below. 

Thank you very much for your support!

More details in the documents enclosed.

How can you help us?

Please write a short support letter for the UN document (ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/2019/19. Optical differentiation of labels/placards for gases) to your delegate in the CTIF Hazmat Commission.

With this he/she can get in contact with the national heads of delegations (Enclosed list) to highlite the importance for us as firefighters.

If there is no delegate in the CTIF Hazmat Commission please write this short support letter for the UN document (ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/2019/19. Optical differentiation of labels/placards for gases) directly to the responsible head of delegation from your country (file "List of delegations").

Also if you have contacts to other bodies or associations, please give them a hint to support our document. It is very difficult to get changes for us as first responders in this Committee of Experts and we have this possibility only at very rare intervals.

Thank you very much for your help!

Roman Sykora

CTIF Hazmat Commission, Chairman

24th May 2019