How to transport dangerous goods
Classification of dangerous goods for transport
The carriage of dangerous goods by road, rail, inland waterway, sea and air is regulated internationally by European agreements, directives and regulations, and parallel legislation in the United Kingdom.
If you're involved in the processing, packing or transporting of dangerous goods, you will first need to classify them correctly so that all organisations in the supply chain, including the emergency authorities, know and understand exactly what the hazard is.
Dangerous goods are assigned to different classes depending on their predominant hazard. The United Nations (UN) classifies dangerous goods in the following classes and, where applicable, divisions:
| UN Class | Dangerous goods | Division(s) if applicable | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN Class 1 | Dangerous goods Explosives | Division(s) if applicable 1.1 - 1.6 | Classification Explosive |
| UN Class, UN Class, UN Class 2 | Dangerous goods, Dangerous goods, Dangerous goods Gases | Division(s) if applicable 2.1 | Classification Flammable gas |
| Division(s) if applicable 2.2 | Classification Non-flammable, non-toxic gas | ||
| Division(s) if applicable 2.3 | Classification Toxic gas | ||
| UN Class 3 | Dangerous goods Flammable liquid | Division(s) if applicable | Classification Flammable liquid |
| UN Class, UN Class, UN Class 4 | Dangerous goods, Dangerous goods, Dangerous goods Flammable solids | Division(s) if applicable 4.1 | Classification Flammable solid |
| Division(s) if applicable 4.2 | Classification Spontaneously combustible substance | ||
| Division(s) if applicable 4.3 | Classification Substance which emits flammable gas in contact with water | ||
| UN Class, UN Class 5 | Dangerous goods, Dangerous goods Oxidizers and organic peroxides | Division(s) if applicable 5.1 | Classification Oxidising substance |
| Division(s) if applicable 5.2 | Classification Organic peroxide | ||
| UN Class, UN Class 6 | Dangerous goods, Dangerous goods Toxic and infectious substances | Division(s) if applicable 6.1 | Classification Toxic substance |
| Division(s) if applicable 6.2 | Classification Infectious substance | ||
| UN Class 7 | Dangerous goods Radioactive material | Division(s) if applicable | Classification Radioactive material |
| UN Class 8 | Dangerous goods Corrosive substances | Division(s) if applicable | Classification Corrosive substance |
| UN Class 9 | Dangerous goods Miscellaneous dangerous substances | Division(s) if applicable | Classification Miscellaneous dangerous substances |
The consignor - the person or business shipping the goods - is responsible for classifying, marking and packaging the dangerous goods.