Applicable framework: ADR, RID and IAEA SSR-6
Radioactive material transport is regulated by ADR on roads, RID on railways and the relevant international rules for maritime and air carriage. Their technical basis includes the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (SSR-6), alongside applicable Spanish nuclear and radiation protection legislation.
The Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) describes the system of technical assessment, approvals and inspection. The CSN undertakes technical evaluations; the competent ministry issues the relevant authorisations where required.
Classification and package selection
Identify every radionuclide, total and specific activity, physical and chemical form, fissile status and relevant additional hazards. Determine the applicable UN number and conditions using the relevant dangerous goods rules. Package options may include excepted, industrial and Type A packages, or packages subject to more demanding testing or approval requirements.
Neither a hazard trefoil nor a safety data sheet alone is enough to establish the correct classification. The consignor needs traceable evidence, dose-rate and contamination controls where applicable.
CSN transport safety guides
The CSN safety-guide catalogue lists, among others, GS 06-04 Revision 1 (February 2025) concerning information for package design approvals and shipment authorisations, and GS 06-06 (June 2017) concerning compliance documentation for radioactive packages that do not require design approval.
The catalogue also identifies GS 06-02 on transport radiation protection programmes, GS 06-03 on emergency arrangements for road transport and GS 06-05 on applying the requirements. Check the status and edition of each document before relying on it for a particular shipment.
Radiation protection, security and emergency procedures
Transport arrangements may need radiation protection, dose-rate and contamination checks, safe packaging and closure procedures, marking and labelling, driver or staff training, emergency measures and security controls. Their scope is determined by the classification and actual transport operation.
Where package design or consignment approval is required, the operator must verify the validity, restrictions and any competent-authority endorsements of the documents concerned.
Practical information needed for a shipment review
Provide radionuclide identity, total and specific activity, physical and chemical form, number and type of packages, packaging certificates if applicable, route and transport modes, dose-rate and contamination data, any additional hazards, and the proposed consignor and carrier documentation.
For DGSA Class 7 road and rail advisory services in Spain, this information allows an initial assessment without presuming a UN number or exemption in advance.
Discuss your operation in Spain
For help with dangerous goods classification, safety adviser duties, documentation, tank or package requirements and staff training, please contact us with the goods, quantities, transport modes and activities involved.