ADR 2025 — carriage of dangerous goods by road

Frequently asked questions

What is the ADR agreement?

ADR is the UNECE agreement that governs the international carriage of dangerous goods by road. It sets out common rules covering classification of dangerous substances, packaging, labelling, and requirements for vehicles and drivers, so that shipments can move across borders under one consistent set of standards.

When does ADR apply to a shipment?

ADR applies whenever dangerous goods are transported by road internationally between countries that are parties to the agreement. It sets the baseline rules for how such goods must be classified, packed, labelled, and carried, and what vehicles and drivers involved in the transport must comply with.

What areas does ADR actually regulate?

ADR covers classification of dangerous goods, packaging standards, labelling and marking requirements, and technical requirements for the vehicles used, as well as qualifications and duties expected of drivers. Together these elements form the full compliance framework for road transport of hazardous materials.

Why does the 2025 edition matter?

The 2025 edition contains the texts that are currently applicable, meaning any previous version is superseded. Companies and drivers involved in international road transport of dangerous goods should reference the 2025 files as the authoritative current standard rather than older editions.

Official sources

• Official source ↗ · unece.org