Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/1801 is a supplement to dangerous goods legislation issued by the European Commission. It was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 13 October 2025 and updates the controls for the transport of dangerous goods by road. Essentially, it adapts the existing regulations to the 2025 ADR amendments and introduces a standardised inspection checklist and three risk categories for violations. The aim is to implement uniform standards for dangerous goods inspections across the EU and to further increase safety. The directive will enter into force on 2 November 2025; all EU countries must apply the new rules from June 2026.

Category II violations are moderately serious violations that pose a significant risk but do not constitute an immediate danger to life. According to the directive, these primarily include missing or incorrect labelling of dangerous goods (e.g. incorrect hazard labels on trucks or no UN numbers on packaging) and technical defects such as a defective fire extinguisher in the vehicle. Such violations require immediate correction on site, as they pose a potential risk to people or the environment. Category II would also include, for example, missing written instructions on board or improperly secured items, provided there is no immediate risk of accident. Important: Category II is not a minor violation – the authorities already take strict action here, but without imposing the maximum penalty (vehicle immobilisation) as in Category I.

If incorrect, incomplete or missing dangerous goods labels are found during an inspection, fines and other penalties may be imposed. The exact amount of the penalty depends on national penalty catalogues – in Germany, fines for labelling violations are often in the mid three-digit range per violation. In more serious cases or if several violations are accumulated, four-figure sums are also possible. Other countries have higher maximum penalties in some cases (e.g. up to €4,000 in Austria for a Category II violation). In addition to fines, points may be incurred in Flensburg (for vehicle drivers), and companies risk repeated inspections or, in extreme cases, the withdrawal of licences. Criminal charges are also possible if gross negligence or intent is involved. In short, errors in the labelling of dangerous goods can be costly – both financially and legally.

ADR-compliant labelling ensures that all dangerous goods regulations are complied with during transport. Dangerous goods labels (placards, danger labels, UN numbers) warn of the hazardous substances being transported and enable emergency services to respond appropriately in the event of an accident. Failure to use the correct labelling poses an enormous risk: in the event of an accident or fire, emergency responders may not know what they are dealing with – with potentially fatal consequences. In addition, the law requires accurate labelling; violations constitute non-compliance and can lead to accidents, liability claims and penalties. ADR-compliant labelling is therefore central to safety, legal compliance and corporate image. Companies that work cleanly in this area protect their employees, the environment and their reputation in equal measure. Last but not least, complete labelling is also a mark of quality for customers and authorities.

BOXLAB Services provides comprehensive support to companies in complying with all labelling regulations. We supply certified dangerous goods labels and placards that meet ADR requirements (durable, seawater-resistant, standardised dimensions). We also offer consulting services: our experts review your current labelling processes and identify potential for optimisation (e.g. in materials or procedures). If required, we train your staff in labelling issues and provide information on new regulations such as Directive 2025/1801. We ensure that your dangerous goods labelling is always correct, up to date and legally compliant. This minimises the risk of violations and allows you to concentrate on your core business – we take care of the rest.