Where IS-42 applies
Instruction IS-42 of 26 July 2016 is a binding Spanish requirement, effective from 23 September 2016. CSN continues to list it among its technical instructions.
It concerns specified events occurring or detected in Spain, and events abroad where the transport originated in Spain. Its scope includes consignors, loaders/unloaders and consignees with facilities in Spain, and carriers established inside or outside Spain. Events in sea or air transport occurring or detected outside the port or airport area, respectively, are excluded.
The definition of a transport event includes loading, carriage, storage in transit and unloading where package or consignment radiological safety was, or could have been, affected. Reporting non-conformities is addressed separately by IS-34. IS-42 does not determine a consignment’s ADR classification.
Who must report
A carrier or loader/unloader detecting a listed event must inform the consignor and notify CSN. A consignee detecting it on receipt must also inform the consignor and notify CSN, unless it confirms that another specified participant has already notified. A consignor detecting or learning of the event must notify, unless it confirms that the carrier, loader/unloader or consignee has already done so. Consult Article Third, paragraph 1, rather than assuming another organisation will act.
The event determines the deadline
Article Third, paragraph 2 distinguishes these cases. Time runs from knowledge of the incident:
- Loss or theft: excepted, industrial or Type A packages must be reported before 24 hours, after confirming unsuccessful steps to locate them. Type B(U), B(M), C or fissile-material packages require immediate notification, before one hour. Packages containing fissile material follow this immediate deadline.
- Breakdown stopping the conveyance: immediate notification, before one hour, if a package safety barrier has been lost or sufficient consignment safety cannot be guaranteed.
- Transport accident: immediate notification, before one hour, if barrier loss is suspected or observed, or sufficient safety cannot be guaranteed. Before 24 hours applies only when neither suspected nor observed barrier loss exists and sufficient safety can be guaranteed.
- Loading or unloading incident: immediate notification, before one hour, where loss of a package safety barrier is suspected or observed.
- Physical security threat: immediate notification, before one hour.
Use the complete Spanish criteria in IS-42 for the actual event.
Initial information and the subsequent report
Notifications go to CSN’s Emergency Room, SALEM. The initial notification may be by telephone and must subsequently be made in writing. Maintain current official contact details in your procedure. CSN’s practical transport documentation, section 2.7, provides the written reporting channel.
The Annex I notification form identifies the contact, organisations, event time and location, transport mode and parties. It also requests the packages and material involved, relevant transport indices, event description, damage, immediate corrective actions and authorities involved. Transport documentation can support the material description. Keep these records available to the people responsible for notification.
The notifying participant must submit a detailed report to CSN within a maximum of 30 days from notification, covering causes and corrective or preventive measures taken or required. CSN may request additional information or report revisions.
Reporting to CSN and emergency alerts
CSN reporting accompanies emergency response. For a road accident or incident involving dangerous goods, the 2026 civil protection planning directive requires urgent communication to 112. For radioactive material, it expressly describes IS-42 reporting to CSN in parallel with the emergency coordination route. Do not treat a CSN notification deadline as permission to delay an urgent alert. Follow the emergency services’ instructions and the applicable emergency arrangements.
Review the procedure before an event
IS-42 requires participants to have a notification procedure covering their applicable criteria. As a practical review, identify responsible staff, deputies, available shipment records and arrangements for confirming notifications between organisations. Check these against the official Spanish text and current CSN information. DGSA advisory services can help review transport procedures; contact DGSA with your role, transport mode and operation.