Towards Global Harmonisation - The International Link

The 2000 edition of AS2278 introduced a change to how the burst and distort requirements for aerosols were spelt out, drawing upon the wording of the European Aerosol Dispensers Directive.

The Directive is the document which spells out the requirements for aerosols across the member States of the EU – the world’s largest aerosols producing bloc with a production of 5.7 billion aerosols in 2014.

Originally published in 1975, the ADD has been revised multiple times. Most recently in April of 2013 when it was revised to pick up the GHS labelling which comes into force in Europe in 2017 (unlike Australia, Canada, the US and many other countries, the EU is adopting the GHS across all products, not just workplace ones).

Where to get a copy of the Directive

You can download a consolidated version which includes the 2013 changes from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:01975L0324-20130409&from=EN.

The methodology for testing aerosol flammability

A detailed methodology for testing aerosol flammability – to complement that detailed in the ADG Code and UN Model Regulations - is provided in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, the latest version of which is the 6th Revised Edition.

The Manual can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.unece.org/trans/areas-of-work/dangerous-goods/legal-instruments-and-recommendations/un-manual-of-tests-and-criteria/rev6-files.html (the aerosol methodology is on pages 343-58).

Note that unless you do the detailed tests laid out in the Manual, any aerosol with more than 1 percent flammable contents must be classified as “Extremely Flammable”!

The flammability criteria for aerosol classification is the same for ADG7 (DG transport) as it is for the GHS (and hence workplace) classification.

The information contained in this website is not intended to be professional advice and is subject to change. The Association expects that, before any information contained in this website is relied upon, the user will exercise the appropriate due diligence procedures to independently confirm the accuracy of the information. On this basis, to the extent permitted by law, the Association is not liable for any and all claims relating to reliance on the information contained in this website copy.