Document digitisation in the transport of dangerous goods: ADR 2025

The ADR 2025 (Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) introduces new developments that enable progress towards document digitalization, a trend that not only modernizes the sector, but also prepares it for a more efficient, transparent and sustainable future.

We already saw in the post Advantages of eCMR in the transport of dangerous goods how to digitize dangerous goods transport documents. In this post, we see how the ADR works and what implications its latest modification has.

How does ADR work?

As stated in the BOE, the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) was signed in Geneva on September 30, 1957, within the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) and entered into force on January 29, 1968.

Spain’s accession to the ADR took place on November 22, 1972 and entered into force for our country on December 22, 1972.

The text of the ADR consists of 17 articles and two annexes, A and B.

• Annex A contains all the actions required to ship goods prior to the actual transport: classification of the goods, choice of containers, generation of the necessary documentation, checks prior to departure for shipment, etc.
• Annex B contains all the conditions to be considered when carrying out the transport as such: circulation, driving, choice of vehicle, choice of driver, equipment, etc.

Annexes A and B of the ADR are updated by amendments every two years to adjust their content to technological and production advances and new materials as they emerge.

Thus, taking into account that the last modification was in 2023, the new ADR was approved in January 2025, coming into force on July 1, 2025.

What does ADR 2025 entail?

The most relevant aspect of ADR 2025 for the transport of dangerous goods is the regulatory support it gives to the use of electronic documentation.

Thus, the new ADR admits the electronic format as stated in section 5.4.0.2:

“Electronic data interchange (EDI) or electronic data interchange (EDI) techniques may be used to facilitate the establishment of documents or replace them, provided that the procedures […] make it possible to satisfy, in a manner at least equivalent to the use of paper documents, the legal requirements regarding the evidentiary force and availability of the data in the course of transport.”

This is an explicit legal endorsement of the use of digital documents in the transport of dangerous goods, provided that:

• Its legal validity and probative value are guaranteed.
• Be accessible at all times during transport.
• Contain the same required information as a paper document.

Yes to digital documents, but without leaving paper behind

Although this new regulation opens the door to the digitalization of dangerous goods transport documentation, it does not eliminate paper from its verification processes.

In this regard, section 5.4.0.3 of ADR 2025 establishes that a paper copy of the mandatory documents must always be carried in the cabin:

“When the information […] is delivered to the carrier by means of TEI or EDI techniques, the shipper shall be able to submit the information in paper document form without delay and with the information in the required order.”

In practice, this means that, even if the document is digital, it must be able to be printed immediately in the event of an inspection or incident, respecting the format required by the standard, which is paper.

In other words, digitization is possible, but paper is still needed as an operational backup.

ADR 2025: Mandatory documentation in the cabin

Another of the key points of ADR 2025 is the obligation to carry dangerous goods documentation in the cabin, whether in paper or electronic format.

Specifically, chapter 8.1.2 of ADR 2025 establishes which documents must be carried in the cabin during transport:

• Transport document.
• Written instructions for the crew.
• Driver’s photo identification document.
• Certificate of approval of the vehicle.
• ADR driver training certificate.
• Copies of derogations or special authorizations, if applicable.

All these documents must be physically present in the cab. Written instructions, in particular, must be within immediate reach of the driver.

Digital documents in cabin

When the electronic version of the mandatory documents is used, the carrier has the obligation to insure:

• That the documents are immediately and legibly available.
• That, in case they are digital, they can be printed on paper without delay if required by an authority.

This implies that the use of electronic documents does not exempt information from being carried in the cabin, and does not eliminate the need for devices or systems to ensure fast and reliable access.

What should carriers and shippers be aware of?

With respect to ADR 2025, the shipper must:

• Provide all mandatory ADR information prior to the start of transport.
• Ensure that the information is available throughout the transport.
• To be able to deliver any digital document on paper without delay.

For its part, the carrier must:

• Check that the documentation has been received and is correct.
• Ensure it is available in the booth, either on paper or in electronic format with backup.

ADR 2025: transition to a digital environment

Although paper is still required in ADR 2025, especially as a backup copy when electronic documentation is used, the new regulations open the door to document digitization.

This update of the ADR is in line with the Administration’s commitment to the mandatory digitization of document management in freight transport, as reflected in the future Sustainable Mobility Law and the eFTI Regulation.

Therefore, companies in the sector must prepare themselves to operate in an environment where electronic documentation is not only viable, but also has the regulatory and legal backing to become mandatory in the near future.

Documentary digitization of transport with FIELDEAS Track and Trace

The FIELDEAS Track and Trace transport document management digitization module, which we call SeamLess eCMR, now makes it possible to digitize all transport documents, regardless of the type of goods.

Thus, our module is prepared to meet the regulatory and legal requirements of ADR documents and gives full flexibility to both carriers and shippers.

With regulatory compliance always guaranteed, our solution adapts to different scenarios depending on the relationship between shippers and logistics operators.

• Connect your solution easily or register your loads directly on our portal.
• It integrates all the necessary documents in a single point and manages them centrally.
• Use the different signature channels to ensure adaptation to the entire supply chain.
• 100% adaptable to your technological ecosystem.
• Access to the documentation is 100% guaranteed and with legal coverage during the entire period of validity of the documents.