Dangerous goods are substances and articles that have the potential to kill or injure people, cause damage to ships and other transport equipment, damage the environment and disrupt the supply chain.

Some workers who handle dangerous goods do not recognise them for what they are because they have not been trained to do so. They do not know what dangerous goods are, and therefore cannot understand the hazards to themselves and others. This section includes a brief guide to the UN system for identification of types of dangerous goods.

Dangerous goods are classified and listed in the United Nations classification system. Classification test methods and classification criteria are described fully in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, and referred to in Part 2 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Dangerous goods that are classified as dangerous for carriage by sea can be found listed and described in Part 3.2 of the IMDG Code in the “Dangerous Goods List”. This lists all dangerous goods numerically by UN Number.

Substances and articles classified as dangerous goods or marine pollutants under the IMDG Code may not necessarily be classified as dangerous goods for carriage by local domestic, road or rail transport regulations. For example UN 1372, FIBRES ANIMAL or FIBRES VEGETABLE, burnt, wet or damp are not subject to the road transport regulations of ADR, but are subject to sea transport regulations of the IMDG Code.

Note: If the dangerous goods are to be transported by sea, it is the IMDG Code classification and rules that take precedence, but local regulations for transport by road or rail may also need to be considered to allow the unit to be delivered to the ship.