The National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996 – Chapter 8: Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Substances by Road); the South African National Standard (SANS) 10231: Transport of dangerous goods by road — Operational requirements and SANS 1157: Transport of dangerous goods — Inspection requirements of road vehicles for the issue of municipal dangerous goods transport permits, are all critical for ensuring the safe transportation of pesticides in South Africa. The National Road Traffic Act, 1996, regulates the safe movement of dangerous goods on public roads, which includes pesticides, by setting requirements for vehicle standards, signage, and driver training to prevent accidents and spills.
Copies of the SANS codes can be purchased online: www.sabs.co.za.

SANS 10231 outlines the technical specifications for the safe transport of dangerous goods in a reader friendly format. It provides guidelines for the packaging, labelling, licensing, vehicle standards & placarding, documentation, driver requirements and accident reporting (emergency procedures) required for regulated pesticide consignments.

SANS 1157 ensures that the transportation of dangerous goods adheres to safety standards to minimize environmental and human health risks by providing inspection checklists according to vehicle type utilised by municipalities to determine whether a municipal dangerous goods transport permit may be granted or not.

Together, these standards and regulations are essential for reducing the risks associated with pesticide transportation, promoting safety, and protecting public health and the environment in South Africa.

Stewardship Specialist: hiresh@croplife.co.za
Compliance Specialist: quade@croplife.co.za