RID Agreement 1/2025: Temporary Exemption for the Rail Transport of Hydrogen Pressure Vessels

RID 1/2025: rail exemption for pressure vessels intended for compressed hydrogen

On April 14, 2025, Italy signed the new RID Multilateral Agreement 1/2025, published by OTIF, introducing a temporary exemption from the rules governing the international rail transport of dangerous goods (RID).

Under this agreement, it is permitted—by way of derogation from RID Chapter 4.1—to transport EN 17339-compliant pressure vessels, originally intended for compressed hydrogen (UN 1049), temporarily filled with compressed nitrogen (UN 1066).

The exemption applies to vessels being transported for:

Assembly
Periodic inspection
Maintenance
Disposal

The nitrogen must be loaded at a pressure sufficient to support the internal lining of the vessel, to prevent structural damage during transport.

Conditions of applicability:

Vessels must comply with EN 17339
Nitrogen pressure must ensure internal support
Valid until December 31, 2026
Applicable only in RID contracting states that signed the agreement (Italy and Germany so far)

This exemption offers a flexible and practical solution for managing hydrogen vessels, especially in light of the growing role of hydrogen as an alternative energy source.