[1] Read in conjunction with accompanying national and State laws, the document creates a significant level of standardisation for the transportation of dangerous goods in Australia.
Ian Shepherd described the commission and its processes in the following terms— The work of the NRTC and the Commonwealth and States and Territories led to major reform of the regulation of the transport of dangerous goods in Australia.
The duties of the various parties in a dangerous goods road transport transaction (consignor, prime contractor, loader, driver, etc) are set out in a clear, plain English style.
"[6] The sixth edition of the Code was described in the following terms— The 1997 legislative framework was notable for introducing the chain of responsibility concept into Australian transport law.
The concept involves the design of policy and law which allocates responsibility under threat of criminal sanction to those persons who are in the best position to prevent and manage risks.