What Is Considered Dangerous Goods?
Dangerous Goods are any substances or items that may pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during transport. Both international and national regulations — such as IATA DGR (air transport), IMDG Code (maritime), and ADR (road) — require strict compliance with rules for packaging, labeling, documentation, and handling of such shipments.
Dangerous goods are classified into nine hazard classes, each representing a specific type of risk — for example, explosiveness, toxicity, flammability, or radioactivity. These classes are further divided into subclasses and Packing Groups, which determine the degree of danger associated with a particular substance. For instance, Class 3 includes flammable liquids, while Class 6 covers toxic and infectious substances.
To precisely identify dangerous goods, a UN Number (United Nations Number) is used — a four-digit numerical code that uniquely identifies a specific substance or item. For example, UN 1203 refers to gasoline, and UN 3480 refers to standalone lithium-ion batteries.
Responsibilities in Transporting Dangerous Goods
Transporting dangerous goods is not just about moving items from point A to point B. It involves a wide range of responsibilities shared between the shipper, carrier, and consignee. Shipments must be:
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Properly classified and labeled,
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Packaged according to the specific class and applicable regulations,
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Accompanied by required documents, such as the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods,
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And in many cases, inspected or handled by certified or trained personnel.
Importance of Training and Certification
Handling dangerous goods requires specialized knowledge and regular training. For example, under IATA DGR regulations, anyone involved in packing, labeling, or preparing documentation for dangerous goods shipments must be properly trained and certified.
Training must be renewed every two years, as regulations frequently change in response to new technologies, incidents, and legislative developments.