The Regulation establishes for the coming years the safety measures that apply to the handling, transport and circulation of dangerous substances in Québec.

The gouvernement du Québec decided to harmonize its standards with those of other Canadian governments. Many of the provisions in the Regulation are in keeping with provisions in the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, which came into force on August 15, 2002.

Moreover, the gouvernement du Québec has ensured that the Regulation takes into account the wide array of products transported and the array of transportation conditions found in North America.

The Regulation now in force incorporates certain adjustments concerning the transportation of petroleum products, liquefied petroleum gas and contaminated soil. The new rules have necessitated the transfer of responsibility and the conclusion of agreements between the ministère des Transports, the ministère des Ressources naturelles, the ministère de l’Environnement and the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.

The prohibition on transporting dangerous substances in a double road train indicated in the Regulation respecting special permits is now an integral part of the new Regulation.

The grouping together of provisions governing the handling and transportation of dangerous substances stems from extensive consultations conducted by the ministère des Transports among the main representatives of the Québec road transportation industry.