VDI 2700 - Load securing on road vehicles
Anyone who deals with load securing will sooner or later not be able to avoid the term VDI 2700. While standards such as EUMOS 40509 and DIN 55415 deal with the stability of individual load units, VDI guideline 2700 deals with all aspects of load securing on road vehicles.
As already explained in the articles on EUMOS 40509 and DIN 55415, Section 22 (1) of the German Road Traffic Regulations requires adequate load securing. Accordingly, load securing is sufficient if the goods "cannot slip, fall over, roll back and forth, fall down or generate avoidable noise even in the event of emergency braking or sudden evasive action". The VDI guideline 2700 serves as a guideline to meet this legal requirement and ultimately to ensure the safe transportation of all goods.
What does VDI stand for?
The abbreviation VDI stands for "Association of German Engineers". Founded in 1856, this association is dedicated to the responsible use of technology, in particular by promoting young technical talent and developing thousands of guidelines in 53 specialist areas. In November 2004, the VDI published its first guideline 2700 entitled "Load securing on road vehicles", setting a standard that is still valid today for the proper securing of all types of loads in road traffic.
What does the VDI guideline 2700 say?
VDI 2700 is a very comprehensive guideline that covers all aspects of load securing. Starting with the requirements for road vehicles and permissible weights and load distributions, the VDI 2700 guideline deals with the securing of loads and the aids used for this purpose, as well as form-fit, force-fit and combined securing methods. Subsequently, the correct securing of various loads is explained in detailed examples.
In addition to classic palletized goods, special goods such as long goods (e.g. tree trunks, poles, beams, masts), flat goods (sheets, mats, plates), goods in roll form (metal coils, paper rolls), vehicles (e.g. on car transporters) and bulk goods are mentioned separately and explained in more detail.
Is compliance with VDI 2700 mandatory?
The VDI 2700 guideline is not a law or regulation enacted by legislation, but a guideline issued by the Association of German Engineers. Nevertheless, compliance with the guideline is not voluntary, as it was drawn up with the involvement of leading experts, reflects the consensus of the transport community and is therefore considered a recognized rule of technology. §Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act expressly requires loads to be secured in accordance with the recognized rules of technology, so that the VDI guideline has a similarly binding character as a regulation of the legislator.
Load securing training in accordance with VDI 2700a
VDI 2700a is a recognized technical rule that serves to train specialist personnel familiar with VDI 2700. This means that guideline 2700a does not deal with load securing itself, but provides guidance on the professional and comprehensive training of shippers in accordance with VDI 2700 in order to ensure the correct implementation of this standard. Anyone who completes training in accordance with VDI 2700a receives a training certificate that is valid for an unlimited period of time.
Load securing does not replace load unit securing
However, an important distinction remains between load securing and load unit securing. While the former refers to the securing of the load on the vehicle, the latter refers to the securing of goods on the pallet. And one thing is clear: if the load unit is inadequately secured, this cannot be compensated for by correct load securing. It is therefore very important that not only load securing guidelines such as VDI 2700 are observed, but also load unit securing standards such as the German DIN 55415 or the European EUMOS 40509.
