Structure of the Dangerous Goods List
The Dangerous Goods List is divided into 18 columns as follows:
Column 1 UN No. - this column contains the United Nations Number assigned to a dangerous good by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN List).
Column 2 Proper shipping name (PSN) - this column contains the proper shipping names in upper case characters, which may have to be followed by additional descriptive text in lower case characters (see 3.1.2). Proper shipping names may be shown in plural where isomers of similar classification exist. Hydrates may be included under the proper shipping name for the anhydrous substances.
Column 3 Class or division - this column contains the class and, in the case of Class 1, the division and the compatibility group assigned to the substance or article according to the classification system described in Part 2, Chapter 2.1.
Column 4 Subsidiary risk(s) - this column contains the class number(s) of any subsidiary risk(s) which have been identified by applying the classification system described in Part 2. This column also identifies a dangerous good as a marine pollutant or a severe marine pollutant as follows:
P - Marine pollutant
PP - Severe marine pollutant
l - Marine pollutant only when containing 10% or more substance(s) identified with P or 1% or more substance(s) identified with PP in this column or in the Index
Column 5 Packing group - this column contains the packing group number (i.e. I, II or III) where assigned to the substance or article. If more than one packing group is indicated for the entry, the packing group of the substance or formulation to be transported should be determined, based on its properties, through application of the hazard grouping criteria as provided in Part 2.
Column 6 Special provisions - this column contains a number referring to any special provision(s) indicated in Chapter 3.3 that is relevant to the substance or article. Special provisions apply to all packing groups permitted for a particular substance or article unless the wording makes it otherwise apparent. The special provision numbers specific to the sea mode start from 900.
Note: When a special provision is no longer needed, this special provision is deleted but the special provision number is not allocated again, in order not to confuse the users of this Code. For this reason, some of the numbers are missing.
Column 7 Limited quantities - this column provides the maximum quantity per inner packaging authorized for transport of the substance or article concerned according to the provisions for limited quantities in Chapter 3.4. The word "None" in this column means that the substance or article is not permitted to be transported under the provisions of Chapter 3.4.
Column 8 Packing instructions - except for Class I radioactive material, this column contains alpha-numeric codes which refer to the relevant packing instruction(s) in 4.1.4. The packing instructions indicate the packagings (including large packagings), which may be used for the transport of substances and articles.
A code including the letter "P" refers to packing instructions for the use of packagings described in Chapter 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3.
A code including the letters "LP" refers to packing instructions for the use of large packagings described in Chapter 6.6.
A code including the letters "BP" refers to packing instructions for the use of bulk packagings described in Chapter 4.3.
When a code including the letter(s) "P", "LP" or "BP" is not provided, it means that the substance is not allowed in that type of packaging.
When "N/R" is included in this column it means that the substance or article need not be packaged.
Column 9 Special packing provisions - this column contains alpha-numeric codes which refer to the relevant special packing provisions specified in 4.1.4. The special packing provisions indicate the packagings (including large packagings).
A special packing provision including the letters "PP" refers to a special packing provision applicable to the use of a packing instruction bearing the Code "P" in Chapter 4.1.4.1.
A special packing provision including the letter "L" refers to a special packing provision applicable to a packing instruction bearing the code "LP" in Chapter 4.1.4.3.
A special packing provision including the letter "B" refers to a special packing provision applicable to a packing instruction bearing the code "BP" in Chapter 4.1.4.3.
Column 10 IBC packing instructions - except for Class I radioactive material, this column contains alpha-numeric codes that refer to the relevant IBC instruction, which indicates the type of IBC that should be used for the transport of the substance under reference. A code including the letters "IBC", refers to packing instructions for the use of IBCs described in Chapter 6.5.
When a code is not provided, it means the substance is not authorized in IBC.
Column 11 IBC special provisions – this column contains alpha-numeric code, including the letter "B", which refers to special packing provisions applicable to the use of packing instructions bearing the code "IBC" in Chapter 4.14.2.
Column 12 IMO Tank instructions – this column only applies to IMO portable tanks and road tank vehicles constructed in accordance with the requirements of Amendment 29 of the Code consistent with the transitional provision in 4.2.0. The provisions of this column may be used instead of the provisions of column 13 until 2010. The column contains T Codes (see 4.2.4.2.6) and in some instances TP notes (see 4.2.4.3). When no T Code is provided in this column, the T code provided in column 13 should apply.
Column 13 UN Tank instructions - this column contains T codes (see 4.2.4.2.6) applicable to the transport of dangerous goods in portable tanks and tank road vehicles.
Except as provided for solid substances in 4.2.6.1, where a T code is not provided in this column it means that the dangerous goods are not authorized for transport in portable tanks unless specifically approved by the competent authority.
Column 14 Tank special provisions – this column contains TP notes (see 4.2.4.3) applicable to the transport of dangerous goods in portable tanks and tank road vehicles. The TP notes specified in this column apply to the portable tanks specified in both columns 12 and 13.
Column 15 EmS No. - this column contains the relevant emergency schedule number in the "Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods".
An asterisk "*" means that the emergency procedure should be provided by the shipper.
Underlined EmS numbers indicate a substance, material or article for which the emergency procedures vary from the group emergency schedule; such variations are specified for the proper shipping name under each emergency schedule. Synonyms, secondary names, initials, abbreviations of names, etc., for which the EmS numbers are underlined in the Dangerous Goods List are not listed on the emergency schedule; it is necessary to consult the emergency schedule under the United Nations Number and the proper shipping name.
For dangerous goods allocated to N.O.S. or other generic entries, the most appropriate Emergency Schedule (EmS) may vary with the properties of the hazardous constituent. As a consequence, shippers may have to declare different numbers from those indicated in this Code if, to their knowledge, such numbers are more accurate.
Column 16 Stowage and segregation - this column contains the stowage and segregation provisions as prescribed in part 7.
Column 17 Properties and Observations - this column contains properties and observations of a dangerous good. Properties of most gases include an indication its density in relation to air. The figures in brackets give the density relative to air.
.1 "lighter than air" when the vapour density is down to half that of air;
.2 "much lighter than air" when the vapour density is less than half that of air;
.3 "heavier than air" when the vapour density is up to twice that of air; and
.4 "much heavier than air" when the vapour density is more than twice that of air.
When explosive limits are given, these refer to the volume percentage of the vapour of the substance when mixed with air.
The ease and extent to which different liquids mix with water varies greatly and most entries have included an indication of miscibility. In these cases "miscible with water" normally means capable of being mixed with water in all proportions to form a completely homogeneous liquid.
Column 18 UN No. see column 1.
3.2.2 Abbreviations and symbols
The following abbreviations and symbols are used in the Dangerous Goods List and have the meanings shown:
Abbreviation/Symbol Column Meaning
N.O.S. 2 Not otherwise specified
l 4 Can be a marine pollutant or a severe marine pollutant
P 4 Marine pollutant
PP 4 Severe marine pollution