What is Dangerous Goods?
Dangerous goods are substances and articles which, due to their chemical or physical properties, may pose a risk to safety, health, the environment, or property during transport. When handled correctly, they are no more dangerous than non-classified goods. Therefore, it is essential that they are managed properly throughout the transport process.
Regardless of where your business operates in the logistics chain, you must have a certified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) in accordance with EU legislation.
Within the European Union, the transport of dangerous goods is regulated by a harmonized legal framework based on several international agreements implemented into EU law, including:
- ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road)
- RID (Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail)
- IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code – for sea transport)
- ICAO-TI/IATA DGR (International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions / IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations – for air transport)
These agreements are incorporated into EU directives and regulations to ensure uniform safety standards across all Member States.
Classification of Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods are divided into nine classes, based on their primary hazard:
- Explosive substances and articles (e.g., ammunition, explosives)
- Gases (flammable, non-flammable, and toxic gases)
- Flammable liquids
- Flammable solids
- Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
- Toxic and infectious substances
- Radioactive materials
- Corrosive substances
- Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles (those not covered by other classes but still posing a risk)
Each substance or article must meet the transport classification criteria outlined in one or more of the international regulations mentioned above.
How to Know if a Substance is Classified as Dangerous Goods
You can easily determine whether a product is classified as dangerous goods by checking its Safety Data Sheet (SDS). In Section 14: Transport Information, item 14.1 lists the UN number if the product is regulated as dangerous goods. If no UN number appears, the substance is not considered dangerous for transport purposes.
When transporting dangerous goods, vehicles are often marked with orange plates at the front and rear. These plates display the UN number corresponding to the substance or article being carried. For example, UN 1203 refers to gasoline, UN 1202 to diesel fuel, and UN 1170 to ethanol.
Section 14 of the SDS also provides information on the hazard class and packing group of the material. Packing groups indicate the level of danger associated with the substance: Packing Group I represents high danger, Packing Group II medium danger, and Packing Group III low danger
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