The successful application of the regulations governing the transport of dangerous goods greatly depends on the awareness on the part of all involved persons of the associated risks, as well as on their understanding of the applicable regulations.
This can only be achieved if they attend appropriate basic training and periodical refresher courses. All training programmes have to be approved by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). In addition to the information provided on this page, upon request the FOCA will be pleased to provide detailed information concerning:
- Holders of a valid personnel category 6 certificate
- Consulting and training organisations
All requirements and checklists:
FOCA GM/INFO - DG Training Approval and Instructor Qualification (PDF, 1 MB, 01.11.2018)Provides comprehensive guidance on the requirements concerning DG training programmes and DG instructors
Examinations for obtaining a training licence in accordance with Article 16a, paragraph 3 of the Swiss Federal Air Transport Ordinance (LTrV)
Examination regulation DG
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Amendment of training provision and introduction of «Competency-based approach» in the field of dangerous goods training
05.03.21: Decisions taken by the FOCA regarding the implementation of the system change from 01.01.2023 (Last updated: 26.10.21)
29.04.20: Accepted changes of the ICAO TIs by the Council and the effects on the approval and surveillance requirements in Switzerland
The FOCA has taken the following decisions regarding the implementation of the system change from 01.01.2023:
- Redefinition of the term «training program», which is no longer to be understood as the detailed training content;
- Training program approval requirements exclusively for operators and DPO (Designated Postal Operator);
- Training methods no longer restricted;
- New qualification requirements for instructors and assessors;
- Introduction of a FOCA declaration requirement for specific entities.
Due to these changes, an amendment of the Ordinance on Air Transport (OATr, SR748.411) is necessary. The process is currently ongoing.
To be ready for 01.01.2023 and establish the competency-based training programs, please refer to the ICAO guidance material already available (ICAO Doc 10147 - Guidance on a Competency-based Approach to Dangerous Goods Training and Assessment).
Detailed information on the above-mentioned points 1, 3 and 4 are also available in the following attachments:
1. New Definition Training Programme (PDF, 597 kB, 26.10.2021)
3. FOCA Functions List, Training Needs & Type of Training (PDF, 296 kB, 26.10.2021)
4. New Instructor & Assessor Qualification Requirements (PDF, 144 kB, 03.08.2021)
Please note that the FOCA reserves the right to make further adjustments to these information.
Any further details regarding the implementation of the new dangerous goods training provisions will be presumably communicated at the end of January 2022. Information about the declaration requirements (point 5) will be provided in due time.
In early March 2020 the recommendations of the Dangerous Goods Panel were accepted by the ICAO Council.
The future regulations are already reflected in Appendix 4 of the 2019-2020 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions (ICAO TIs).
Doc.9284.20.Attachment 4 (PDF, 96 kB, 20.05.2020)
Note: this appendix has been accepted by the ICAO Council in an amended version.
These latest changes can be viewed in the attached Appendix B Agenda item 2 of the DGP report.
DGP.27.WP.049.Appendix B_Agenda item 2.en (PDF, 159 kB, 20.05.2020)
Note: the binding wording will be the published in the edition of the ICAO TIs 2021-2022.
All changes to the ICAO TIs approved by the Council will take effect on January 01, 2021.
However, in view of the very short lead-time (the ICAO TIs 2021-2022 will only be published in autumn 2020), ICAO allows for a transition period until December 31, 2022 for the introduction of these new training regulations.
Dangerous goods training can therefore be carried out in accordance with the training regulations of the ICAO TIs 2019-2020 until December 31, 2022. Obviously, all other amendments to the TIs 2021-2022, to which no transition period applies, will have to be considered.
For its part, FOCA will examine the effects of this system change on the approval and surveillance requirements.
Further Information
Contact
Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA
Section Operation of Complex Airplanes
For operations of complex airplanes
Tel: +41 58 466 30 02
For shippers, consignors, helicopter operators, non-complex operations, screeners
Tel: +41 58 468 77 75
Fax: +41 58 816 40 66