CEN published a key set of standards for the transport of liquid chemicals and liquified gases

Due to a high risk surrounding this activity, this kind of transport is strongly regulated at the international level, notably through the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and the Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID). These two pieces of legislation present a series of safety requirements to be strictly followed by the transporter and the developer of the tanks. They rely massively on European standards developed by CEN and most specifically CEN/TC 296 ‘Tanks for the transport of dangerous goods’, one of the four CEN technical committees developing standards referenced directly in the two pieces of legislation.

In this framework, CEN/TC 296 recently finalised the revision of two key standards:

• EN 14432:2023 ‘Tanks for the transport of dangerous goods - Tank equipment for the transport of liquid chemicals and liquefied gases - Product discharge and air inlet valves’;
• and EN 14433:2023 ‘Tanks for the transport of dangerous goods - Tank equipment for the transport of liquid chemicals and liquefied gases - Foot valves’

These two standards are very important for the industry because they are referred to in ADR/RID and define the requirements for main tank equipment. As such, they enable the approved inspection bodies to verify such equipment and proceed with their approval.

The new updated versions provide, in addition to some failure corrections and clarifications, an expansion of the scope, so that for example even dry brake couplers used as second closure can be approved.

Through these standards, manufacturers will be able to get the necessary approval for their tank equipment and thus sell approved components to customers. In turn, wagon owners will be able to exchange such valves (if separately approved). Otherwise, if the equipment is approved with the tank by competent authorities, in each single case the tank approval must be revised (which is costly and time consuming).

With this new accomplishment, CEN/TC 296 contributes once again to improve the safety of the transport of dangerous goods, supporting the implementation of international regulations.

The secretariat of CEN/TC 296 is currently held by AFNOR, the National Standards Authority of France.