New Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code List 2021 available for use

Published: 18 May 2021

By: Bill Atkinson, Chief Scientific Adviser

The Emergency Action Code (EAC) List 2021 is effective immediately in connection with the use of ADR/RID 2021 Edition and is mandatory from 1 July 2021 from when the EAC List 2019 should no longer be used.

Duty holders are required to use the 2021 EAC List for the application of the appropriate EACs under Schedule 1 of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009) (as amended); and of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (CDG 2010) (as amended). You can purchase a physical copy of the publication from TSO or Labeline.

Below is a summary of updates and changes to the EAC list 2021:

Updated hazard identification numbers

20 Asphyxiant gas or gas with no subsidiary hazard
639 Toxic substance, flammable (flash-point not above 60°C) which can spontaneously lead to violent reaction
663 Highly toxic substance, flammable (flash-point not above 60°C)

New hazard identification numbers

238 Gas, flammable corrosive
28 Gas, corrosive
836 Corrosive or slightly corrosive substance, flammable (flash-point between 23°C and 60°C, inclusive) and toxic

Updated EACs

UN1010 Butadienes, stabilized or butadienes and hydrocarbon mixture, stabilized, containing more than 40% butadienes
UN1869 Magnesium or magnesium alloys with more than 50% magnesium in pellets, turnings or ribbons
UN2522 2-Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, stabilized
UN2545 Hafnium powder, dry, packing group I
UN2545 Hafnium powder, dry, packing group II & III
UN2546 Titanium powder, dry, packing group I
UN2546 Titanium powder, dry, packing group II & III
UN2683 Ammonium sulphide solution
UN2913 Radioactive material, surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, SCO-II or SCO-III), non-fissile or fissile excepted
UN3189 Metal powder, self-heating, N.O.S.
UN3325 Radioactive material, low specific activity (LSA-III), fissile
UN3363 Dangerous goods in articles or dangerous goods in machinery or dangerous goods in apparatus

New Entries

UN3549 Medical waste, category A, affecting humans, solid
UN3549 Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid

Name Changes

UN1010 Butadienes and hydrocarbon mixture, stabilized, containing more than 40% butadienes
UN2522 2-Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, stabilized
UN2913 Radioactive material, surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, SCO-II or SCO-III), non-fissile or fissile excepted
UN3325 Radioactive material, low specific activity (LSA-III), fissile

New Names

UN3549 Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
UN3549 Medical waste, category A, affecting humans, solid
UN3363 Dangerous goods in articles

If you have any questions about the latest revised EAC list, or any other chemical compliance queries, please contact us on 0333 6002424 or complete the form below.

You can also download a PDF copy of the code here.