Introduction

This document gives details about the arrangements for the examinations for Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers. It mentions other documents produced by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) which give further information - these are normally issued with this one. Copies are also available from SQA and on our website. Details of how to contact us are given at the end of this document.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for the implementation in the UK of the European Community Directive 96/35/EC. This Directive is about the appointment and training of safety advisers involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by road, rail and inland waterway. It requires certain organisations involved in the transport or related loading or unloading of dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterway to appoint one or more Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs).

Before their appointment, DGSAs must gain a Vocational Training Certificate (VTC) by passing approved examinations. The DfT is responsible for the approval of the examinations and it has appointed SQA as its agent. SQA is responsible, in conjunction with the DfT and its advisory panel, for:

• developing and issuing the syllabus for the examinations
• developing, conducting and marking the examinations
• issuing Vocational Training Certificates.

Examinations will be offered at centres throughout the UK. SQA provide a list of examination centres and dates.

The examination questions are prepared and moderated by experts in the industry. For each subject, a Principal Examiner, Reviser and a team of question setters are appointed by SQA, in consultation with the DfT. Markers are also appointed by SQA.

---

---

---