Understanding Dangerous Goods (DG)

In global logistics, the transportation of Dangerous Goods (DG) requires precision, responsibility, and compliance with international safety standards. DGs are substances or materials capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment. From everyday items like batteries to industrial chemicals, managing these shipments correctly is critical to preventing accidents and ensuring smooth supply chain operations.

Whether transported by air, sea, or land, Dangerous Goods must be handled according to strict international regulations, including the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, and the United Nations Model Regulations.

By identifying UN number and DG class, you can easily understand the material and guide how it should be handled.

What Are UN Numbers?

The UN number (short for United Nations number) is a four-digit identification code assigned to hazardous substances and articles. These numbers are recognized internationally and used on packaging, shipping documents, and labels.

For example:

• UN 1203 – Gasoline

• UN 3480 – Lithium-ion batteries

• UN 1993 – Flammable liquid, n.o.s. (not otherwise specified)

Each UN number is linked to a hazard class, which describes the type of danger the substance presents.

The 9 Classes of Dangerous Goods

Each class represents a specific type of hazard. Some classes are further divided into divisions for more detailed categorization.

🔴 Class 1 – Explosives

Examples: Fireworks, ammunition, detonatorsDivisions:

• 1.1: Mass explosion hazard

• 1.2: Projection hazard only

• 1.3: Fire hazard and minor blast or projection

• 1.4: Minor explosion hazard

• 1.5: Very insensitive explosives

• 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles

UN Examples: UN 0336 (Fireworks), UN 0004 (Cartridges, small arms)

🔥 Class 2 – Gases

Examples: Propane, oxygen tanks, aerosolsDivisions:

• 2.1: Flammable gases (e.g., UN 1978 – Propane)

• 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases (e.g., UN 1072 – Oxygen)

• 2.3: Toxic gases (e.g., UN 2199 – Phosgene)

  
  

🛢️ Class 3 – Flammable Liquids

Examples: Petrol, ethanol, paintUN Examples:

• UN 1203 – Gasoline

• UN 1170 – Ethanol

• UN 1263 – Paint

  
  

⚠️ Class 4 – Flammable Solids / Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion

Divisions:

• 4.1: Flammable solids (e.g., UN 1325 – Flammable solid, organic, n.o.s.)

• 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion (e.g., UN 1361 – Carbon)

• 4.3: Substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water (e.g., UN 1415 – Lithium)

  
  

⚡ Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides

• 5.1: Oxidizing agents (e.g., UN 1492 – Calcium hypochlorite)

• 5.2: Organic peroxides (e.g., UN 3106 – Organic peroxide type B, liquid)

These substances can intensify fires or explode when combined with other materials.

☠️ Class 6 – Toxic and Infectious Substances

• 6.1: Toxic substances (e.g., UN 1689 – Sodium cyanide)

• 6.2: Infectious substances (e.g., UN 2814 – Infectious substance, affecting humans)

Used in medical, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

🧪 Class 7 – Radioactive Material

Examples: Medical isotopes, nuclear fuelUN Examples:

• UN 2915 – Radioactive material, Type A package

  Requires specialized containers and licensing.

  
  

🧨 Class 8 – Corrosives

Examples: Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acidUN Examples:

• UN 1830 – Sulfuric acid

• UN 1789 – Hydrochloric acid

These can cause severe burns to skin and damage to equipment.

🌊 Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances

Examples: Lithium batteries, environmentally hazardous substancesUN Examples:

• UN 3480 – Lithium-ion batteries

• UN 3082 – Environmentally hazardous substance, liquid, n.o.s.

Class 9 covers substances that pose a hazard during transport but don't fall into the other classes.

Conclusion

As we are dealing with DG goods, understanding the classifications and proper handling of Dangerous Goods is crucial. Each class requires specific packaging, labelling, documentation, and transport procedures. Compliance with UN numbers and international regulations ensures safety, legal operation, and reputation protection for companies in the supply chain.

When managing DG cargo, the focus must always be on risk prevention, education, and strict adherence to global standards. It’s not just about moving freight—it’s about moving it responsibly.

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