28 May 1987

17th plenary meeting

Work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1983/7 of 26 May 1983, 1985/9 of 28 May 1985 and 1986/66 of 23 July 1986,

Noting the ever-increasing volume of dangerous goods in world-wide commerce and the rapid expansion of technology and innovation,

Bearing in mind the constant need to meet the growing concern for the protection of life and property through the safe transport of dangerous goods, while at the same time facilitating trade,

Aware that in order to achieve internationally harmonized laws, complete reliance is placed on the work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by the specialized agencies and other international organizations and by interested Member States that are committed to taking the recommendations of the Committee as a basis for the formulation of their requirements and regulations,

Reaffirming the desirability of widening the decision-making base of the Committee by encouraging the participation of developing countries and other non-member countries in its future work.

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in the biennium 1985-1986 and of the new and amended recommendations approved by the Committee for inclusion in its existing recommendations, especially with regard to the transport of environmentally hazardous substances;

2. Requests the Secretary-General:

(a) To incorporate in the existing recommendations of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods all of the new and amended recommendations approved by the Committee at its fourteenth session;

(b) To publish the new and amended recommendations in all the official languages of the United Nations, in the most cost-effective manner, not later than the end of 1987;

(c) To circulate the new and amended recommendations immediately after their publication to the Governments of Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the other international organizations concerned;

3. Invites all Governments, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the other international organizations concerned to transmit to the Secretary-General their views on the Committee's work, together with any comments they may wish to make on the amended recommendations;

4. Invites all interested Governments and the international organizations concerned, when developing appropriate codes and regulations, to take full account of the recommendations of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods;

5. Notes that the requests in its resolutions 1983/7, 1985/9 and 1986/66 have not yet been implemented, and reiterates the request to the Secretary-General to make available, within existing resources, the funding and staff necessary for the adequate servicing of the Committee of Experts;

6. Recommends that consideration be given to the provision of funding to support the work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on the implementation of the present resolution for submission to the Council not later than at its second regular session of 1988.