Trade and customs
Dangerous goods class
Definition
One of nine UN transport hazard classes, from class 1 explosives to class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods.
The nine classes are: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, 4 flammable solids and related substances, 5 oxidising substances and organic peroxides, 6 toxic and infectious substances, 7 radioactive material, 8 corrosive substances and 9 miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles, which includes environmentally hazardous substances and lithium batteries.
The class decides the transport label, segregation from other cargo and many packing and documentation rules. It is related to, but not the same as, the GHS classification used for workplace labels.
Related terms
- UN numberA four digit number assigned by the UN to identify a dangerous substance or article in transport, for example UN1090 for acetone.
- Packing groupThe degree of danger of a dangerous good in transport: I high, II medium, III low.
- IMDG CodeThe International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the mandatory rules for carrying dangerous goods by sea.
- IATA DGRThe IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations airlines follow for carrying dangerous goods by air, based on the ICAO Technical Instructions.