إلزام مركبات نقل المبيدات بجهاز تحديد المواقع (GPS) ومفتاح إيقاف محرك المركبة مباشرة

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has revealed the anticipated technical regulations for the transportation of public health pesticides, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to the specific conditions and requirements.

It pointed out that the means of transportation must be suitable for the purpose of transport and properly equipped to prevent any conditions that may affect the quality and safety of these products. Modern technologies, such as a GPS device and a direct engine shut-off switch, should be available in the means of transportation.

All necessary precautions and measures must be taken to ensure that the quality and safety of the products are not affected during transport. It added that unsuitable means of transportation and containers should not be used. Work procedures must be in place for the operation and maintenance of vehicles and containers used in the transportation and distribution process, as well as for rejected, recalled, or returned products during transport.

The vehicle must not be loaded beyond its maximum capacity. It is essential to ensure that all labels, warning signs, and necessary placards for the vehicle and the shipment being transported are present. The carrier must refrain from transporting pesticide loads if any violations of the requirements of the international transport of dangerous goods by road are observed.

The carrier must also ensure that a valid registration certificate for public health pesticide products issued by the Food and Drug Authority is available. The facility must train the workers involved in the transportation of pesticides according to the provisions of the international transport of dangerous goods by road. The training should include environmental protection during the transport process. It stated that the procedures to be followed after an incident during the transport of pesticides include first aid, road safety, basic knowledge of using protective equipment, and written instructions.

Regarding the driving instructions to be followed, it clarified the necessity of daily vehicle inspections. The means of transportation and containers must be clean, dry, and free of accumulated waste. Devices for recording temperature and humidity in public health pesticide transport must be available periodically.

No other products besides public health pesticide products, such as food, medicine, feed, etc., should be transported in the same means of transport. It is essential to inspect the transport equipment before loading and exclude damaged and rough pallets, ensuring that loading pallets are wooden and free from any nails or protruding parts, and they should be inspected periodically to ensure the safety of the means of transport.

All documents indicating the purchase and the entity to which public health pesticides are being transported, along with copies of the analysis certificates issued by the relevant laboratories, must be available. Additionally, the containers should be distributed inside the means of transport in such a way that barrels are not placed on top of boxes made of fiber or lightweight containers to avoid damage or harm.

The means of transport must be equipped with safety measures such as a fire extinguisher, protective clothing, and first aid supplies. The facility must keep records and data forms related to transport operations for five years regarding the volume, quantities, and types of pesticides that have been transported.

Compliance with the classification of dangerous goods transport operations according to their components is required, in line with the international transport of dangerous goods by road agreement, and classification according to the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

Procedures must be followed in the event of an incident or emergency during the transport of public health pesticides: use the vehicle's brakes, turn off the engine, and disconnect the battery using the main switch if available. Stay away from ignition sources (do not smoke or operate electrical devices). Contact the relevant emergency services.