Following is an extract from what is currently being circulated in my airline.
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations is the "Field Document" used on board the aircraft.
This document is based on the ICAO Technical Instructions. These manuals are normally both
issued to be effective as of the 1st of January and thus wholly compatible. This year however,there has been a delay in the production of the Technical Instructions, so the two manuals have been slightly "out of Sync!"
Crews are reminded that certain data in the current version of the IATA DG Regulations will become effective as of 01 July 01.
On some of the "Blue Pages" from Sect 4 of DG Regs, there are shaded entries. The shading indicates an effective date of 01 July 01, and 2 new symbols(hour glass / calendar) are used.
(Introduction pages xx xxi and Appx B page 641 refer).
A major change becoming effective as of 01 July, is that of compatibility of the different classes of DG's. See Tables 9.3.A(I)/(II) on page 564.
The change means that the rules will be LESS restrictive than previously shown and will
be at variance with the table on the plasticised cards that most of you carry.
As we regularly carry wheelchairs your attention is drawn to Special Provisions instruction A67
(page 276) which has been amended to indicate that wheelchairs with gel type batteries do not require the battery to be disconnected provided terminals are insulated against accidental
short-circuits. For further info on wheelchairs see page 570 9.3.15. (This was effective as of 01/01/01).