If you ship chemicals, fuel, batteries, paint or industrial waste from Türkiye to Europe, you have heard the phrase "ADR certified". But what exactly is ADR? Which cargo requires it?
In this guide, drawing on our 35 years of dangerous goods transportation experience, we explain the ADR process.
What is ADR?
ADR is the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, signed in Geneva in 1957. Türkiye joined the agreement in 2010. ADR governs every detail of safe road transport of dangerous goods.
9 Main Cargo Classes
- Class 1 — Explosives
- Class 2 — Gases
- Class 3 — Flammable liquids
- Class 4 — Flammable solids
- Class 5 — Oxidizers
- Class 6 — Toxic and infectious substances
- Class 7 — Radioactive materials
- Class 8 — Corrosives
- Class 9 — Miscellaneous (incl. lithium batteries)
Note: Lithium-ion batteries fall under Class 9 since 2020. Electronics, e-bikes, EV batteries require ADR.
Three Layers of ADR Compliance
Driver Certificate
Drivers carrying dangerous goods must hold an ADR Driver Training Certificate, periodically renewed.
Vehicle Conformity Certificate
Vehicles require a conformity certificate from an accredited body, renewed annually.
Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA)
Companies above a certain threshold must employ a DGSA-certified advisor.
Required Equipment in ADR Vehicles
- ABS, fire extinguishers, emergency kit, warning triangles, leak absorbent, hazard plates, written instructions
Choosing an ADR Carrier — 8 Questions
- Full-time in-house DGSA?
- What share of fleet is ADR-compliant?
- What share of drivers are ADR-certified?
- Specialty in which classes?
- Does CMR insurance cover dangerous goods?
- Emergency response plan?
- How many ADR shipments last year?
- ADR authorization on Türkiye-Europe-Azerbaijan corridor?
Conclusion
ADR transport is a specialty far beyond standard freight. Wrong packaging or insufficiently certified drivers cause legal penalties and serious safety risks.
At Taşdemirler Logistics, with 35 years of experience, we serve all ADR classes on the Türkiye-Europe-Azerbaijan corridor. For a free quote, reach out via our contact page.