This bulletin explains the meaning and use of the words “Residue – Last Contained”, which may appear on shipping documents.
It does not change, create or suggest deviation from the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations.
On this page
Scope
This bulletin applies to persons regulated under the TDG Regulations and inspectors in the course of their duties.
What you need to know
Subsection 3.5(4) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations states that if a container (means of containment) contains a residue, the words “Residue – Last Contained” may be added before or after the description of the dangerous goods.
Residue – Last Contained means that a small amount (a residue, as defined in Section 1.4) of the dangerous goods last contained in a container remain after it has been emptied to the greatest extent possible, and before it’s refilled or cleaned.
You can’t use these words for dangerous goods included in:
- Class 2, Gases that are in a small means of containment, or
- Class 7, Radioactive Materials
For greater clarity, within this document, the word “empty” means the same thing as “residue”. Therefore, as per Subsection 3.6.1(3), a large container of dangerous goods listed as “Residue – Last Contained” doesn’t need a consignor’s certification.
How to use this wording
Although the TDG Regulations state that these words may be added before or after the description of the dangerous goods, they do not specify where on a shipping document they should appear. So “Residue-Last Contained” can be placed anywhere on the document, as long as it is written, easy to read and does not interrupt the description of the dangerous goods included in Paragraph 3.5(1)(c) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
It is common for carriers to include the words “Residue – Last Contained” with an empty checkbox, and list the quantity of the dangerous goods on the shipping document so that when the container is emptied to the greatest extent possible the box is checked and the quantity is struck out to indicate that the load is a residue.
Example:
| UN # | Shipping Name | Class and Subsidiary Class | Packing Group | Quantity | Residue-Last Contained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN1203 | Gasoline | 3 | II | 30,000 L | Residue-Last Contained |
| UN # | Shipping Name | Class and Subsidiary Class | Packing Group | Quantity | Residue-Last Contained |
| UN1203 | Gasoline | 3 | II | Residue-Last Contained |
Reference to the B620 standard
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 does not explain whether “means of containment” refers to the entire tank or each compartment as a separate means of containment.
Use of “Residue – Last Contained” must align with how compartments are treated for that container: according to Clause 5.1.6.2 of the B620 Standard, each compartment must be treated separately and include its own metal ID plate, but you may also be able to combine all the information on one ID plate if you meet certain requirements.
If there is only one specification or ID plate, every compartment has to be emptied to the greatest extent possible in order to state: “Residue – Last Contained” on a shipping document.
If each compartment has its own specification plate and the volume of each compartment is indicated separately on the shipping document, then “Residue – Last Contained” would be indicated for each compartment on the shipping document.
Contact us
Have questions about the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations? Contact a dangerous goods inspector in your region:
Atlantic
1-866-814-1477
TDG-TMDAtlantic@tc.gc.ca
Quebec
1-514-633-3400
TMD-TDG.Quebec@tc.gc.ca
Ontario
1-416-973-1868
TDG-TMDOntario@tc.gc.ca
Prairie and Northern
1-888-463-0521
pnrtdg-tmdrpn@tc.gc.ca
Pacific
1-604-666-2955
TDGPacific-TMDPacifique@tc.gc.ca
Residue – Last Contained
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