On July 12, 2017 the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations were amended by adopting the 2014 versions of the following two standards:

• CSA Standard B620, “Highway tanks and TC portable tanks for the transportation of dangerous goods”, published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
• CSA Standard B622, “Selection and use of highway tanks, TC portable tanks, and ton containers for the transportation of dangerous goods, Class 2”, published by CSA

Information related to these two standards can be obtained through the following links:

• B620: https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/tdg/moc-highway-csab620-472.html
• B622:  https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/tdg/moc-highway-csab622-309.html

Changes to these standards that affect the use of nurse wagons and skid mounted Transportation Delivery Units (TDUs) for anhydrous ammonia transport are:

1. New testing required under CSA B620 and B622 Standard (2014 version):  As of January 12, 2018, the following testing changes are required:
   1. For non-TC specification nurse wagons (allowance under Special Requirement (SR) 55)
      1. external visual inspection are to be conducted annually (this was previously conducted every 3 years);
      2. a pressure test is to be conducted every 3 years (this was previously conducted every 5 years); and,
   2. For non-TC specification Transport Delivery Units (TDUs (allowance under SR 54) a pressure test is to be conducted every 3 years (this was previously conducted every 5 years).
2. TC 51 Specification: Non-specification ASME nurse wagons constructed after January 12, 2018 will not be allowed for use in anhydrous ammonia service.

These changes will come into full effect on January 12, 2018.

The Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR) has applied to Transport Canada for an equivalency certificate to allow for an alternate testing frequency and an extension to the implementation time period. Further information on the approval process for this application will be provided as details are received from CAAR.

CAAR’s Advocacy committee is working with a group of industry representatives to address this issue. If you have questions or would like to share your feedback, please send your comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Attention: NH3 Subcommittee and a reply will be sent from group representatives as quickly as possible.