(1)

Action by the Union in the sector of transport of dangerous goods should aim at improving transport safety and security, protecting the environment and facilitating international transport.

(2)

The Union is not a Contracting Party to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (the ‘ADR’) and to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (the ‘ADN’). However, all Member States are Contracting Parties to ADR, and 13 Member States are Contracting Parties to ADN.

(3)

Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) lays down requirements for the transport of dangerous goods by road, by rail and by inland waterway within or between Member States. It does so by reference to the ADR, to Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail which appear in Appendix C to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) (the ‘RID’) and to the ADN. In addition, Article 4 of Directive 2008/68/EC provides ‘The transport of dangerous goods between Member States and third countries shall be authorised in so far as it complies with the requirements of the ADR, RID or ADN, unless otherwise indicated in the Annexes.’.

(4)

Between 2014 and 2016, the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods — WP.15 and the ADN Administrative Committee, in accordance with the procedures stipulated in Article 14 of ADR and Article 20 of ADN respectively, developed certain amendments which are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2017.

(5)

Those amendments, which concern technical standards and uniform technical prescriptions, aim to ensure safe and efficient transport of dangerous goods whilst taking into account scientific and technical progress in the sector and the development of new substances and articles that pose a danger during their transport. The development of transport of dangerous goods by road and inland waterways, both within the Union and between the Union and neighbouring countries, is a key component of the common transport policy and ensures proper functioning of all branches of industry that produce or make use of the goods classified as dangerous under ADR and ADN.

(6)

All the proposed amendments are justified and beneficial, and should be supported. It is therefore appropriate to establish this position to be adopted on behalf of the Union on the proposed amendments to the Annexes to ADR and to the Annexed Regulations to ADN, as set out in the Annex,