ChemRegs Newsletter – August 2026
Significant Changes and Amendments to the IATA 68th Edition (2027)
IATA has now published the next edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations for air and also released the list of the significant changes and amendments in these regulations that are due to come into force from 1 January 2027.
IATA goes through an extensive annual exercise to update its manuals to ensure compliance with the newest regulations as well as the latest industry trends and best practices. These updates are done in collaboration with several industry experts and via dedicated IATA workgroups such as the Dangerous Goods Board.
The 68th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) incorporates all amendments made by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel in developing the content of the 2027–2028 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions as well as changes adopted by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board. The digital version of the IATA DGR 2027 is now available, either directly via IATA’s website or through authorised distributors. The hard copy is expected to be available in September or October.
The changes to the DGR include:
How to Use the Regulations
The instructions on how to use the DGRs have been amended to include the application of special provisions
to specific shipments, the selection of the correct packing instructions and packaging types, and the rules for
combining multiple dangerous goods in a single package (All Packed in One).
1—Applicability
1.2.7 The exceptions for dangerous goods carried in an aircraft has been amended to also include the addition of blood and blood components for the purposes of transfusions. The exception for data loggers has been expanded to include certain sodium ion batteries.
1.4.2 Information to employees has been clarified to state that an operator’s Operations, Dangerous Goods or other manual must be kept up to date.
1.4.3 Operator’s responsibilities. A paragraph has been inserted which requires operators to consider those dangerous goods that require the approval of the operator, and have regard to the potential for a fire and the ability to control the situation until a safe landing.
1.4.4 Provision of information to passengers. Operators have to establish the requirements for passengers seeking the approval of the operator to carry certain dangerous goods.
2—Limitations
2.3 Dangerous Goods Carried by Passengers or Crew
A note has been added regarding the intent of “personal use” in respect of the dangerous goods that are permitted to be carried by passengers and crew.
Text has also been added to give clarification regarding the approval of the operator and that such approval is required for passengers to carry those items.
2.3.1.2 (Disabling Devices) and 2.3.1.4 (Electro shock weapons e.g. Tasers) have been combined together and a note has been added to confirm that the prohibition on these devices applies even when the devices have been issued by policing organizations to their employees.
2.3.1.4 now reflects that power banks containing lithium ion batteries exceeding 100 Wh are forbidden from being carried by passengers or crew.
2.3.2.4 Wheelchairs/Mobility Aids with Lithium Batteries.
This section has been amended to take a greater safety-based focus with lithium ion battery powered mobility aids. The amendments introduce additional requirements for operators carrying mobility aids where the installed battery(ies) exceed 300 Wh per device. For spare lithium ion batteries, the changes include a limit of 300 Wh per device, rather than an unlimited number of batteries.
Table 2.3.A ‘Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passengers or Crew has now been divided into three tables:
● Table 2.3.A sets out those items which require the approval of the operator.
● Table 2.3.B contains those that do not require the approval of the operator.
● Table 2.3.C lists those items which are not permitted to be carried by passengers or crew.
It is expected that Table 2.3.C is transitional and will be removed in the 70th edition of the DGR in 2029. This is because a list of forbidden items will not be needed once the permitted items are strictly defined in Tables 2.3.A and 2.3.B.
2.3.5.8 has been amended to distinguish between power banks and spare batteries. Passengers and crew are limited to no more than 2 power banks and 18 spare batteries. Operators may permit more than 18 spare batteries, but cannot permit more than two power banks.
2.5 Dangerous Goods in Operator’s Property
Changes to this section relate to the crew’s carriage and usage of power banks for purposes related to the
operation of the aircraft. Crew wishing to carry and use power banks for personal use are subject to the normal requirements of Section 2.3.
2.6 Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities
2.6.2.2 has been amended to clarify that the excepted quantity provisions only apply to substances and not articles.
2.8.1 State Variations
The variations list for Argentina, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Ukraine have been amended to reflect the ISO country code.
Significant changes or notable new variations have been recorded for 17 States including New Caledonia (NCG) and Norfolk Island (NFG).
2.8.3 Operator Variations
Similar to last year, a number of Operator Variations have been editorially amended to provide for a consistent format, without changing the meaning or intent of the variation. Most changes relate to introducing consistent cross references or a standard form of words.
Variations which repeat existing regulations but are not more restrictive, have been deleted. Company specific variations, (such as dry ice limits by aircraft type) which are better managed through their own internal procedures have also been amended or deleted.
A number of operator variations prohibited the carriage of certain classes, divisions or specific UN numbers, but then excepted COMAT spares. These additional exceptions were often because the Operator’s ground handling service provider (GHSP) had rejected the consignment, citing DGR 2.5.2.1. The GHSP is operating as the operator’s contracted agent and the most appropriate pathway for managing company specific procedures is through the company’s manuals. References to COMAT in the operator variations are being removed and a corresponding note has been inserted under 2.5.2.
In 2027, in preparation for the 69th edition of the DGRs, IATA will be engaging with operators regarding the removal of variations which do not meet the criteria set out in 2.8.3.2.
3—Classification
3.1.1 Definitions and general provisions on the classification of explosives contains minor amendments in
the classification of explosive articles.
3.2.5.2.5 has been amended regarding subsidiary hazard classification and 3.2.5.2.6 includes several
additional prohibitions where the aerosol contents also meet the classification criteria for particular classes,
divisions or packing groups.
3.6.2.2.2.1.3 makes reference to reflect that State related entities may provide additional guidance on
classification of infectious substances. This is particularly relevant when emerging health situations require a
quick response in differentiating between UN 3373 and UN 2814/UN 2900.
3.9.2.6.1 the addition of paragraph (h) applies to the classification of hybrid batteries, composed of lithium
ion and sodium ion cells.
3.11.4 now contains additional material regarding the further classification of samples of certain organic
substances which may be shipped under the provisions for self-reactive substances Type C.
4—Identification
4.2 List of Dangerous Goods
Updates to the list of dangerous goods, includes the following new entries:
● UN 3561 Chlorophenols, corrosive, toxic, solid, n.o.s. ★;
● UN 3562 Chlorophenols, corrosive, solid, n.o.s. ★;
● UN 3563 Lithium metal batteries installed in cargo transport unit;
● UN 3564 Sodium ion batteries installed in cargo transport unit.
The proper shipping name for Fluroanilines has been deleted and cross references provided for fluroaniline
variants.
An entry has been created for Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines to provide a cross reference to the
relevant “Article” entry and Special Provision A236.
4.4 Special Provisions
The following special provisions have been amended:
● A26 and A103 in addition to the existing references to refrigerating machines, these special provisions
now include heating machines;
● A88 has been amended to remove the uncertainty of what constitutes low and annual production runs;
● A107, A185, A213, A225 and A228 now include additional references to lithium/sodium batteries;
● A214 contains additional guidance material on the classification, and differences, between battery powered vehicles and battery powered equipment.
The following new special provisions have been added:
● A235 relates to the classification of hybrid batteries, containing both sodium ion and lithium cells or
batteries;
● A236 facilitates the transport of modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines;
● A239 has been introduced, effectively replicating Special Provision A801. Consequently Special Provision
A801 has been removed;
● A808 is a new provision, which will be applied to UN numbers and proper shipping names in Table 4.2
that have been phased out. Phased out UN numbers and proper shipping names will be retained in the
dangerous goods list for two years, with the linkage to special provision A808.
5—Packing and Packing Instructions
Amendments have been made to a number of packing instructions. Many changes relate to the addition of sodium ion batteries and the changed text around prototype batteries.
Packing instructions 967, 970 and 978 – for section II packages containing no more than 4 cells or two batteries, any button cells in the equipment do not count towards the 4 cell/2 battery limit.
6—Packaging Specification and Performance Tests
Changes have been made to remain in alignment with the UN Model Regulations and are relevant for all modes of transport.
7—Marking and Labelling
7.1.7 Marking of Overpacks has new notes and an example to clarify the requirements for the marking of overpacks.
8—Documentation
8.1.6.9.2 Second Sequence—Step 6 has been restructured and re-worded to provide a more logical flow to
this step.
9—Handling
Section 9 handling includes changes regarding the segregation of explosives based on compatibility groups.
Appendices
Appendix A—Glossary
There are multiple changes to the glossary which are tied to changes in the UN Model Regulations regarding
cylinders, large packagings, salvage packagings and associated editions.
Appendix C—Currently Assigned Substances
Table C.2 has been updated for the list of organic peroxides from the UN Model Regulations.
Some of the changes listed above can also be seen in Appendix H — ‘Impending Changes’ of the current IATA DGR 67th Edition (2026).
Occupational Exposure Limits – Consultation of OEL for Toluene
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a consultation between 3 August 2026 and 3 October 2026 for comments on the scientific report on the occupational limit values (OELs) for Toluene (EC 203-625-9, CAS 108-88-3). This is following the call for evidence that was held between 01 April 2026 and 01 July 2026.
The scientific report was prepared by ECHA as part of the process for establishing occupational exposure limits (OELs). The report will then be considered by the ECHA Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC). The consultations are held to allow parties to comment on the report and to support RAC in adopting an opinion on occupational exposure limits. RAC will develop its opinion on occupational limit values (OELs) based on ECHA’s scientific report, which will be attached as an Annex to the adopted RAC opinion.
The current OEL for Toluene was implemented in the EU in 2006: Indicative Occupational Exposure Limit Value (IOELV) 50 ppm (192 mg/m³) and STEL (short-term exposure limit) of 100 ppm (384 mg/m³). This has a notation that the substance can be absorbed through the skin.
Three EU Member States (Germany, Finland, and France) have established a biological limit value (BLV) for toluene and its metabolites in the urine or blood.
France has also established Biological Guidance Values (BGV) for the general population for toluene in the urine and blood.
The main exposure route for workers is via inhalation. Dermal absorption of liquid toluene is also possible (for example when paint thinners or adhesives containing toluene are handled) and can contribute to overall exposure.
There are extensive human data from occupational studies, reporting long-term adverse effects after toluene exposure. The studies consistently reported reduced neurobehavioural function (subjective neurological symptoms, performance on psychomotor tasks), colour vision disturbances and hearing loss.
The studies were used in the scientific evaluation of toluene, and the proposed outcome is:
OEL as 8-hour Long term TWA 20 ppm, 77 mg/m³
STEL (short term limit value) 100 ppm, 383 mg/m³
BLV, 30 μg toluene/L urine (sampling at the end of the work shift)
BGV, Not proposed
Notations: Skin, Noise
Comments can be made via https://echa.europa.eu/oels-pc-on-oel-recommendation/-/substance-rev/83401/term#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=e701aff4-8976-4c4f-8922-53e5934b0000
ONR Guidance
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) guidance document ‘Five Steps to Transport Emergency Planning’ (ONR-TCA-GD-005) has been updated.
The document has been updated to align it with the revised Technical Inspection Guide (TIG) ‘The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 – Schedule 2 – Radiation Emergencies’ (NS-INSP-GD-066), which was published last year.
Updates include the removal of ‘What is a notifiable event’, and ‘Prior information to the public’ sections. Additional guidance has been added on some common queries, whilst also making the document more succinct.
For more information on anything in this Newsletter, please contact us at info@chemregs.co.uk