What Is the ADR 1.1.3.6 Exemption?
ADR section 1.1.3.6 provides a simplified transport regime for small quantities of dangerous goods. When the total “points” across all substances in a load stays at or below 1,000, many of the stricter ADR requirements are relaxed.
This exemption is widely used by businesses that transport limited quantities — maintenance companies carrying solvents, farms with pesticides, cleaning product distributors, and construction firms with adhesives and gas cylinders.
It applies across all ADR signatory countries (54 contracting parties including the EU, UK, Switzerland, and Turkey). Post-Brexit, the exemption is mirrored in GB domestic legislation under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009, as amended).
How the Points System Works
Each substance in ADR Table A is assigned a transport category (0–4). To calculate whether the exemption applies, multiply each substance's quantity by its category multiplier. If the sum across all substances is ≤ 1,000, the 1.1.3.6 exemption applies.
Important: ADR 1.1.3.6.3 also imposes per-substance quantity limits. Even if the total points are under 1,000, the exemption does not apply if any single substance exceeds its category's maximum quantity. For example, a Category 1 substance is limited to 20 kg or litres — carrying 21 litres of a Cat 1 substance invalidates the exemption regardless of the points total.
| Transport Category | Per-Substance Limit | Multiplier | Points Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 (not permitted) | — | Exemption cannot apply |
| 1 | 20 kg or litres | 50 | quantity × 50 |
| 2 | 333 kg or litres | 3 | quantity × 3 |
| 3 | 1,000 kg or litres | 1 | quantity × 1 |
| 4 | Unlimited | 0 | Always 0 points |
What Changes Under the Exemption
NOT required under 1.1.3.6:
- ADR driver training certificate (but basic awareness training IS still required)
- Orange plates on the vehicle
- Written instructions (though recommended as good practice)
- Full ADR transport document (a simplified document is acceptable)
- Vehicle approval certificate
- Marking and placarding of the transport unit
Still REQUIRED under 1.1.3.6:
- Proper packaging and labelling of individual packages
- Basic awareness training for all personnel involved
- Fire extinguisher in the vehicle
- Segregation rules between incompatible classes
- General safety obligations under ADR Chapter 1.4
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 1.1.3.6 exemption apply to all hazard classes?
Can I mix substances from different transport categories?
What happens if my load exceeds 1,000 points?
Does the 1.1.3.6 exemption apply in the UK after Brexit?
How do I determine a substance's transport category?
Data sourced from the official UNECE ADR 2025 publication (ECE/TRANS/352). This calculator is a reference aid — for operational decisions, always refer to the full ADR text and consult your Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) where required. See the current ADR in force.