UPS expands its ability to carry dangerous goods

Global logistics provider UPS Inc. has expanded its global dangerous goods shipping program, increasing both the volume and the types of goods that it carries between 36 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia, the company said today.

The change is a response to growing demand from shippers such as industrial manufacturing companies transporting paint, compressed gases, adhesives, and batteries, or healthcare companies seeking to transport the chemicals used to clean laboratory equipment, UPS said.

Atlanta-based UPS has added more than 400 additional commodities to the 1,469 previously accepted in its global air network, a UPS spokeswoman said. It also added more than 300 products across its ground network in Europe.

In addition to expanding its list of allowable items, UPS offers technology applications designed to simplify shipping those packages by matching them with guidelines issued by regulatory agencies such as the International Air Transport Association, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the European Dangerous Goods Accord, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations.

Once the items are accepted, UPS helps ensure the dangerous goods are safely transported by providing employee training and taking extra precautions, such as the use of leak-proof packaging, fire-resistant containers, and fire containment covers.

"UPS helps companies meet strict and often complex requirements when shipping dangerous goods," UPS Chief Marketing Officer Teresa Finley said in a release. "Now we can meet our customers' expanded needs for a one-stop solution to ship both conventional and dangerous goods."