Diploma in ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA-DGR: Classification and Packaging
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA-DGR classification and packaging. 8 modules covering UN classification, hazard classes, differences between transport modes, approved packaging and its testing, marking and documentation and the consignor’s responsibilities, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA-DGR: Classification and Packaging — studying from South Africa
Regulation, safety and homologation skills are essential across South African industry, from road vehicles and aviation to energy and mining. Engineers must demonstrate compliance with national standards set by the South African Bureau of Standards and sector regulators. Reliability, availability, maintainability and safety analysis is applied in infrastructure, rail, energy and manufacturing projects. Specialists support certification, type approval and risk assessment for both local and export markets.
Fees for South Africa: R 16 700 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Homologation and standards work in South Africa involves the SABS and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), while ECSA handles engineering registration. Whether a SEIUM qualification is recognised is for employers or these bodies to decide, so check beforehand.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in regulation, safety and RAMS roles?
Employers in automotive, rail, energy and industrial sectors value RAMS and compliance expertise, often tied to recognised certifications and experience. A private qualification may strengthen your profile but will not replace formal requirements. Its value depends on each employer's preference, so ask hiring managers how they would assess it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is delivered fully online in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Confirm time-zone and weekly workload expectations with SEIUM before enrolling.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Classify dangerous goods according to the UN Recommendations.
Distinguish the characteristics of each hazard class.
Compare the requirements of ADR, RID, IMDG and IATA.
Select approved packagings.
Interpret packaging tests and markings.
Mark, label and document shipments correctly.
Organise the consignor’s responsibilities.
Who it's for
- Dangerous goods shipping technicians who prepare consignments by road, rail, sea and air.
- Dangerous goods safety advisers (DGSA) who need a multimodal view.
- Product safety technicians in chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
- Chemical logistics managers responsible for compliant dispatch.
- Packaging technicians working with UN-approved packagings.
- Compliance auditors reviewing dispatch operations.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the chemical industry.
What you'll work with
- ADR (European Agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road)
- RID (Regulations on the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail)
- IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code)
- IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations for air transport)
- UN Model Regulations (Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods)
- Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 CLP (classification, labelling and packaging of substances)
- DGOffice
- IATA DG AutoCheck
- Chemwatch
- Excel classification spreadsheet
- SAP EHS
8 modules
1.1Structure of the UN Model Regulations1.2Classification criteria by hazard class1.3Precedence of hazards for substances with multiple hazards1.4Use of the dangerous goods list1.5Proper shipping name and UN number1.6Generic and n.o.s. entries1.7Assignment of packing groups1.8Safety data sheets as a source1.9Differences between CLP and transport classification1.10Practical: classification using the safety data sheet
2.1Class 1 explosives: classification principles2.2Class 2 gases and aerosols2.3Class 3 flammable liquids and flash point2.4Class 4 flammable solids and self-reactive substances2.5Class 5 oxidising substances and organic peroxides2.6Class 6 toxic and infectious substances2.7Class 7 radioactive material: overview2.8Class 8 corrosives and Class 9 miscellaneous2.9Environmentally hazardous substances (aquatic environment)2.10Workshop: classifying a range of industrial chemicals
3.1Scope of application of each regulation3.2Special provisions by mode3.3Limited quantities in each mode3.4Excepted quantities and their limits3.5State and operator variations in air transport3.6Additional maritime segregation requirements3.7Specific prohibitions in air transport3.8Comparison table by UN number3.9Managing multimodal shipments3.10Case study: the same product in four modes
4.1Packaging types and packaging codes4.2P, IBC and LP packing instructions4.3Combination and single packagings4.4Special packing provisions4.5Compatibility of the material with the contents4.6Closures, cushioning and absorbent material4.7Packagings for infectious substances4.8Salvage packagings4.9Intermediate bulk containers4.10Practical: selecting the packing instruction for a corrosive liquid
5.1Drop, stacking and leakproofness tests5.2Hydraulic pressure test5.3Interpreting the UN packaging mark5.4Packaging approval certificates5.5Responsibilities of the packaging manufacturer5.6Packaging production controls5.7Reuse and reconditioning5.8Plastic packagings and their service life5.9Authorised inspection bodies5.10Laboratory: reading UN marks on real packagings
6.1Hazard labels and their placement6.2Marine pollutant and orientation marks6.3Limited and excepted quantity marks6.4Labels specific to air transport6.5Orange plates and placards on transport units6.6Mandatory particulars in the transport document6.7Shipper’s Declaration under IATA6.8IMDG dangerous goods declaration6.9Common errors in marking and documents6.10Workshop: marking and documentation of a combined shipment
7.1Obligations of the consignor, loader and packer7.2Staff training requirements for each mode7.3Duties of the dangerous goods safety adviser7.4Internal dispatch procedures7.5Pre-shipment checklists7.6Management of incidents and leaks7.7Internal dispatch audits7.8Applicable penalty regime7.9Compliance indicators7.10Case study: auditing dispatch operations at a chemical plant
8.1Selection of the product range8.2Classification of each product8.3Comparative analysis by mode8.4Selection of approved packagings8.5Design of marking and labelling8.6Documentation templates8.7Internal dispatch procedure8.8Staff training plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is DGOffice, IATA DG AutoCheck, Chemwatch, a classification spreadsheet in Excel and SAP EHS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied using real procedures: classifying products from safety data sheets, selecting approved packagings and auditing dispatch docks. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ADR, RID, IMDG Code, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Model Regulations), Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 CLP.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with DGOffice, IATA DG AutoCheck, Chemwatch, an Excel classification spreadsheet and SAP EHS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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