NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Army Lt. Col. Michael Zdrojesky, commander, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Europe, attended the joint meeting of the RID/ADR/ADN Committee of Experts and the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in Bern, Switzerland, March 25-26 to find a solution for regulatory challenges hampering the shipment of Meals, Ready-to-Eat, or MREs, in Europe.
The regulatory challenges stem from the flameless ration heaters included in the meals, which had created logistical hurdles for transport.
"We have a great partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. European Command Dangerous Goods Community. This community of experts have been working on different courses of action over the last 14 months to help find a solution to this challenge," Zdrojesky said. “This venue was our opportunity to expand our discussion to European countries and agencies on finding a solution to this challenge.”
The primary objective was to gain consensus from international partners for a Multilateral Agreement under ADR Section 1.5.1. Zdrojesky, alongside Shane Kelley, Director of International Programs for the Department of Transportation, and Hari Ramanan, Command Dangerous Goods Advisor for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, presented a draft agreement to address the issue. The proposal aimed at creating a safe, standardized process for moving the MREs across borders.
"I am very proud of what the team was able to accomplish during this venue," Zdrojesky said. "Mr. Kelley provided a very detailed analysis on the safety of the product, with Mr. Ramanan connecting safety with the transportation of the product. Their analysis was instrumental in enabling consensus from other European nations to sign a Multilateral Agreement."
The discussion concluded with a consensus that the proposed draft agreement represents a safe and effective interim solution. The involved parties agreed that a formal MLA would be signed in the near future, guaranteeing the continued and unhindered supply of MREs for armed forces operating in Europe. The successful negotiation highlights the importance of partnerships with allies like Germany, which enables DLA to provide robust support.
"This agreement is a critical help to DLA Distribution Europe operations, allowing us to respond to the warfighter demand across EUCOM, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Central Command," Zdrojesky said. "We are very appreciative to have great partnerships with multiple German host nation agencies, as these relationships are critical to our operations.”