Granting and supervising recognition of transport of dangerous goods

For example, recognised organisations may inspect and certify packaging or tank-containers. The rules that a company must follow in order to obtain approval are set out in the Regeling erkende instanties Vervoer gevaarlijke stoffen (Regulation on recognised bodies for the transport of dangerous goods, only in Dutch). Based on this regulation, the ILT will decide whether a company is recognised and will supervise recognised companies. 

How to request recognition

To apply for recognition of your company, please complete the form Application for a recognition of the transport of dangerous goods. You can also use this form if you already have recognition, but wish to inform the ILT about any changes. If your recognition is soon to end, then you must apply for new recognition.

Supervision and assessment

Once you have completed the form, the ILT will check your application. The ILT does this in 2 ways:

• An admissibility check

  The ILT will check that you have filled out the form correctly. The ILT also checks whether you have sent the right documents. If that is not the case, you will have the opportunity to add any other documents.

• Assessment of the application

  The ILT will assess the contents of the application. During this phase, the ILT may conduct an initial assessment. That first assessment is also called an initial audit. The ILT will thereby check whether your business processes and systems meet the terms and conditions in the regulations.

During the first audit, the ILT will review documents, do spot checks, interview employees and ask questions about the business processes. If necessary, on-site visits will be made. The ILT will make a report of the audit.

Sometimes the assessment shows that the company does not follow the Regulations on recognised bodies for the transport of dangerous goods. The audit report will show what needs to be corrected. You must then resolve the problem. While you do that, the application process will be put on hold. If you provide the changes on time, the procedure will continue. The ILT will then check the changed documents.

Recognition or no recognition

After the first audit, there are 2 possible outcomes:

1. Grant of recognition

   You will get the recognition. The ILT will send you a final report and a decision on your request for recognition.

2. No grant of recognition

   You will not get the recognition. The ILT will then send you a final report and explain the negative decision.

Supervision

After your business is granted recognition, the ILT supervises to see if you are complying with the rules. 
There are 2 moments of supervision:

1. Within 1 year after you have been granted recognition, the ILT conducts an initial supervisory audit. This is an inspection. During the audit, the ILT checks whether your company is performing the recognised operations properly.
2. After this, the ILT carries out supervisory audits in a cycle of up to 4 years.

In the event of complaints or reporting about your company, the ILT may conduct an additional investigation. This additional investigation will take place separately from the regular supervisory audit.

Supervisory audit

The supervisory audit consists of the same steps as the initial audit. During the supervisory audit, the ILT checks how your company carries out the recognised operations in practice. The ILT also carries out spot checks. These spot checks may come announced or unannounced.

Outcome of the supervisory audit

Depending on the conclusions of the supervisory audit, the following outcomes are possible:

• No particulars

  If there are no particulars, or only minor discrepancies, you will keep your recognition.

• 1 or more deficiencies

  If the ILT identifies deficiencies, this may create a safety risk. You must then make a plan to resolve the deficiencies. The ILT checks whether you have done so. Have the deficiencies been resolved? Then you will keep the approval.

Have you not resolved the deficiencies? In that case, there are 3 possible outcomes:

1. The ILT will engage with you about resolving the deficiencies.
2. The ILT suspends your recognition. This means your recognition will be temporarily taken until you resolve the deficiencies.
3. The ILT withdraws your recognition. If the ILT suspends or withdraws your recognition, you will be notified. The ILT will at that time also explain why it has taken that decision. It is possible to object to this decision.