Dangerous Goods by Road
Many substances have an entry for both the liquid and solid state (see definitions for liquid and solid
in 1.2.1), or for the solid and solution. These are allocated separate UN numbers which are not
necessarily adjacent to each other1.
1 Details are provided in the alphabetical index (Table B of Chapter 3.2), e.g.:
NITROXYLENES, LIQUID 6.1 1665;
NITROXYLENES, SOLID 6.1 3447.
Unless it is already included in capital letters in the name indicated in Table A in Chapter 3.2, the
qualifying word "MOLTEN" shall be added as part of the proper shipping name when a substance,
which is a solid in accordance with the definition in 1.2.1, is offered for carriage in the molten state
(e.g. ALKYLPHENOL, SOLID, N.O.S., MOLTEN).
Except for self-reactive substances and organic peroxides and unless it is already included in capital
letters in the name indicated in Column (2) of Table A of Chapter 3.2, the word "STABILIZED" shall
be added as part of the proper shipping name of a substance which without stabilization would be
forbidden from carriage in accordance with paragraphs 2.2.X.2 due to it being liable to dangerously
react under conditions normally encountered in carriage (e.g.: "TOXIC LIQUID, ORGANIC, N.O.S.,
STABILIZED").
When temperature control is used to stabilize such substances to prevent the development of any
dangerous excess pressure, or the evolution of excessive heat, or when chemical stabilization is used
in combination with temperature control, then:
(a) For liquids and solids where the SAPT2 (measured without or with inhibitor, when chemical
stabilization is applied) is less than or equal to that prescribed in 2.2.41.1.21, the provisions of
2.2.41.1.17, special provision 386 of Chapter 3.3, special provision V8 of Chapter 7.2, special
provision S4 of Chapter 8.5 and the requirements of Chapter 9.6 apply except that the term
"SADT" as used in these paragraphs is understood to include also "SAPT" when the substance
concerned reacts by polymerization;
(b) For gases: the conditions of carriage shall be approved by the competent authority.
Hydrates may be carried under the proper shipping name for the anhydrous substance.
Generic or "not otherwise specified" (N.O.S.) names
Generic and "not otherwise specified" proper shipping names that are assigned to special provision
274 or 318 in Column (6) of Table A in Chapter 3.2 shall be supplemented with the technical name of
the goods unless a national law or international convention prohibits its disclosure if it is a controlled
substance. For explosives of Class 1, the dangerous goods description may be supplemented by
additional descriptive text to indicate commercial or military names. Technical names shall be entered
in brackets immediately following the proper shipping name. An appropriate modifier, such as
"contains" or "containing" or other qualifying words such as "mixture", "solution", etc. and the
percentage of the technical constituent may also be used. For example: "UN 1993 FLAMMABLE
LIQUID, N.O.S. (CONTAINS XYLENE AND BENZENE), 3, II".
The technical name shall be a recognized chemical name or biological name, or other name currently
used in scientific and technical handbooks, journals and texts. Trade names shall not be used for this
purpose. In the case of pesticides, only ISO common name(s), other name(s) in the World Health
Organization (WHO) Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard and Guidelines to
Classification, or the name(s) of the active substance(s) may be used.
When a mixture of dangerous goods is described by one of the "N.O.S." or "generic" entries to which
special provision 274 has been allocated in Column (6) of Table A in Chapter 3.2, not more than the
two constituents which most predominantly contribute to the hazard or hazards of a mixture need to
be shown, excluding controlled substances when their disclosure is prohibited by national law or
international convention. If a package containing a mixture is labelled with any subsidiary risk label,
one of the two technical names shown in parentheses shall be the name of the constituent which
compels the use of the subsidiary risk label.
NOTE: See 5.4.1.2.2.
Examples illustrating the selection of the proper shipping name supplemented with the technical name
of goods for such N.O.S. entries are:
UN 2902 PESTICIDE, LIQUID, TOXIC, N.O.S. (drazoxolon);
UN 3394 ORGANOMETALLIC SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, PYROPHORIC, WATERREACTIVE
(trimethylgallium).
2 For the definition of self-accelerating polymerization temperature (SAPT), see 1.2.1.
Solutions or mixtures
NOTE: Where a substance is specifically mentioned by name in Table A of Chapter 3.2, it shall be
identified in carriage by the proper shipping name in Column (2) of Table A of Chapter 3.2. Such
substances may contain technical impurities (for example those deriving from the production process)
or additives for stability or other purposes that do not affect its classification. However, a substance
mentioned by name containing technical impurities or additives for stability or other purposes
affecting its classification shall be considered a solution or mixture (see 2.1.3.3).
A solution or mixture is not subject to ADR if the characteristics, properties, form or physical state of
the solution or mixture are such that it does not meet the criteria, including human experience criteria,
for inclusion in any class.
A solution or mixture meeting the classification criteria of ADR composed of a single predominant
substance mentioned by name in Table A of Chapter 3.2 and one or more substances not subject to
ADR or traces of one or more substances mentioned by name in Table A of Chapter 3.2, shall be
assigned the UN number and proper shipping name of the predominant substance mentioned by name
in Table A of Chapter 3.2 unless:
(a) The solution or mixture is mentioned by name in Table A of Chapter 3.2;
(b) The name and description of the substance mentioned by name in Table A of Chapter 3.2
specifically indicate that they apply only to the pure substance;
(c) The class, classification code, packing group, or physical state of the solution or mixture is
different from that of the substance mentioned by name in Table A of Chapter 3.2; or
(d) The hazard characteristics and properties of the solution or mixture necessitate emergency
response measures that are different from those required for the substance mentioned by name
in Table A of Chapter 3.2.
Qualifying words such as "SOLUTION" or "MIXTURE", as appropriate, shall be added as part of the
proper shipping name, for example, "ACETONE SOLUTION". In addition, the concentration of the
mixture or solution may also be indicated after the basic description of the mixture or solution, for
example, "ACETONE 75% SOLUTION".
A solution or mixture meeting the classification criteria of ADR that is not mentioned by name in
Table A of Chapter 3.2 and that is composed of two or more dangerous goods shall be assigned to an
entry that has the proper shipping name, description, class, classification code and packing group that
most precisely describe the solution or mixture.
DANGEROUS GOODS LIST
Table A: Dangerous Goods List
Explanations
As a rule, each row of Table A of this Chapter deals with the substance(s) or article(s) covered by a
specific UN number. However, when substances or articles belonging to the same UN number have
different chemical properties, physical properties and/or carriage conditions, several consecutive rows
may be used for that UN number.
Each column of Table A is dedicated to a specific subject as indicated in the explanatory notes below. The
intersection of columns and rows (cell) contains information concerning the subject treated in that
column, for the substance(s) or article(s) of that row:
- The first four cells identify the substance(s) or article(s) belonging to that row (additional
information in that respect may be given by the special provisions referred to in Column (6);
- The following cells give the applicable special provisions, either in the form of complete
information or in coded form. The codes cross-refer to detailed information that is to be found in
the Part, Chapter, Section and/or Sub-section indicated in the explanatory notes below. An empty
cell means either that there is no special provision and that only the general requirements apply, or
that the carriage restriction indicated in the explanatory notes is in force. When used in this table,
an alphanumeric code starting with the letters "SP" designates a special provision of Chapter 3.3.
The applicable general requirements are not referred to in the corresponding cells. The explanatory
notes below indicate for every column the Part(s), Chapter(s), Section(s) and/or Sub-section(s) where
these are to be found.
Explanatory notes for each column:
Column (1) "UN No."
Contains the UN number:
- of the dangerous substance or article if the substance or article has been
assigned its own specific UN number; or
- of the generic or n.o.s. entry to which the dangerous substances or articles
not mentioned by name shall be assigned in accordance with the criteria
("decision trees") of Part 2.
Column (2) "Name and description"
Contains, in upper case characters, the name of the substance or article, if the
substance or article has been assigned its own specific UN number, or of the
generic or n.o.s. entry to which it has been assigned in accordance with the
criteria ("decision trees") of Part 2. This name shall be used as the proper
shipping name or, when applicable, as part of the proper shipping name
(see 3.1.2 for further details on the proper shipping name).
A descriptive text in lower case characters is added after the proper shipping
name to clarify the scope of the entry if the classification and/or carriage
conditions of the substance or article may be different under certain conditions.
Column (3a) "Class"
Contains the number of the class, whose heading covers the dangerous substance or
article. This class number is assigned in accordance with the procedures and criteria
of Part 2.
Column (3b) "Classification code"
Contains the classification code of the dangerous substance or article.
- For dangerous substances or articles of Class 1, the code consists of a
division number and compatibility group letter, which are assigned in
accordance with the procedures and criteria of 2.2.1.1.4;
- For dangerous substances or articles of Class 2, the code consists of a
number and hazardous property group, which are explained in 2.2.2.1.2 and
2.2.2.1.3;
- For dangerous substances or articles of Classes 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1,
6.2, 8 and 9, the codes are explained in 2.2.x.1.2 1;
- Dangerous substances or articles of Class 7 do not have a classification code.
Column (4) "Packing group"
Contains the packing group number(s) (I, II or III) assigned to the dangerous
substance. These packing group numbers are assigned on the basis of the
procedures and criteria of Part 2. Certain articles and substances are not assigned to
packing groups.
Column (5) "Labels"
Contains the model number of the labels/placards (see 5.2.2.2 and 5.3.1.7) that have
to be affixed to packages, containers, tank-containers, portable tanks, MEGCs and
vehicles. However, for substances or articles of Class 7, 7X means label model
No.7A, 7B or 7C as appropriate according to the category (see 5.1.5.3.4 and
5.2.2.1.11.1) or placard No. 7D (see 5.3.1.1.3 and 5.3.1.7.2).
The general provisions on labelling/placarding (e.g. number of labels, their location)
are to be found in 5.2.2.1 for packages, and in 5.3.1, for containers, tank-containers,
MEGCs, portable tanks and vehicles.
NOTE: Special provisions, indicated in Column (6), may change the above
labelling provisions.
Column (6) "Special provisions"
Contains the numeric codes of special provisions that have to be met. These
provisions concern a wide array of subjects, mainly connected with the contents of
Columns (1) to (5) (e.g. carriage prohibitions, exemptions from requirements,
explanations concerning the classification of certain forms of the dangerous goods
concerned and additional labelling or marking provisions), and are listed in Chapter
3.3 in numerical order. If Column (6) is empty, no special provisions apply to the
contents of Columns (1) to (5) for the dangerous goods concerned.
Column (7a) "Limited Quantities"
Provides the maximum quantity per inner packaging or article for carrying
dangerous goods as limited quantities in accordance with Chapter 3.4.
Column (7b) "Excepted Quantities"
Contains an alphanumeric code with the following meaning:
- "E0" signifies that no exemption from the provisions of ADR exists for the
dangerous goods packed in excepted quantities;
1 x = the class number of the dangerous substance or article, without dividing point if applicable.
- All the other alphanumerical codes starting with the letter "E" signify that
the provisions of ADR are not applicable if the conditions indicated in
Chapter 3.5 are fulfilled.
Column (8) "Packing instructions"
Contains the alphanumeric codes of the applicable packing instructions:
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letter "P", which refers to packing
instructions for packagings and receptacles (except IBCs and large
packagings), or "R", which refers to packing instructions for light gauge
metal packagings. These are listed in 4.1.4.1 in numerical order, and specify
the packagings and receptacles that are authorized. They also indicate which
of the general packing provisions of 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3, and which of the
special packing provisions of 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.8 and 4.1.9 have to be
met. If Column (8) does not contain a code starting with the letters "P" or
"R", the dangerous goods concerned may not be carried in packagings;
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "IBC" refer to packing
instructions for IBCs. These are listed in 4.1.4.2 in numerical order, and
specify the IBCs that are authorized. They also indicate which of the general
packing provisions of 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3, and which of the special
packing provisions of 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.8 and 4.1.9 have to be met. If
Column (8) does not contain a code starting with the letters "IBC", the
dangerous goods concerned may not be carried in IBCs;
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "LP" refer to packing
instructions for large packagings. These are listed in 4.1.4.3 in numerical
order, and specify the large packagings that are authorized. They also
indicate which of the general packing provisions of 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3,
and which of the special packing provisions of 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.8 and
4.1.9 have to be met. If Column (8) does not contain a code starting with the
letters "LP", the dangerous goods concerned cannot be carried in large
packagings;
NOTE: Special packing provisions, indicated in Column (9a), may change the
above packing instructions.
Column (9a) "Special packing provisions"
Contains the alphanumeric codes of the applicable special packing provisions:
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "PP" or "RR" refer to special
packing provisions for packagings and receptacles (except IBCs and large
packagings) that have additionally to be met. These are to be found in
4.1.4.1, at the end of the relevant packing instruction (with the letter "P" or "
R") referred to in Column (8). If Column (9a) does not contain a code
starting with the letters "PP" or "RR", none of the special packing provisions
listed at the end of the relevant packing instruction apply;
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letter "B" or the letters "BB" refer to
special packing provisions for IBCs that have additionally to be met. These
are to be found in 4.1.4.2, at the end of the relevant packing instruction (with
the letters "IBC") referred to in Column (8). If Column (9a) does not contain
a code starting with the letter "B" or the letters "BB", none of the special
packing provisions listed at the end of the relevant packing instruction apply;
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letter "L" refer to special packing
provisions for large packagings that have additionally to be met. These are to
be found in 4.1.4.3, at the end of the relevant packing instruction (with the
letters "LP") referred to in Column (8). If Column (9a) does not contain a
code starting with the letter "L", none of the special packing provisions listed
at the end of the relevant packing instruction apply.
Column (9b) "Mixed packing provisions"
Contains the alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "MP" of the applicable
mixed packing provisions. These are listed in 4.1.10 in numerical order. If
Column (9b) does not contain a code starting with the letters "MP", only the
general requirements apply (see 4.1.1.5 and 4.1.1.6).
Column (10) "Portable tank and bulk container instructions"
Contains an alphanumeric code assigned to a portable tank instruction, in
accordance with 4.2.5.2.1 to 4.2.5.2.4 and 4.2.5.2.6. This portable tank
instruction corresponds to the least stringent provisions that are acceptable for the
carriage of the substance in portable tanks. The codes identifying the other
portable tank instructions that are also permitted for the carriage of the substance
are to be found in 4.2.5.2.5. If no code is given, carriage in portable tanks is not
permitted unless a competent authority approval is granted as detailed in 6.7.1.3.
The general requirements for the design, construction, equipment, type approval,
testing and marking of portable tanks are to be found in Chapter 6.7. The general
requirements for the use (e.g. filling) are to be found in 4.2.1 to 4.2.4.
The indication of a "(M)" means that the substance may be carried in UN
MEGCs.
NOTE: Special provisions, indicated in Column (11), may change the above
requirements.
May also contain alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "BK" referring to
types of bulk containers described in Chapter 6.11 which may be used for the
carriage of bulk goods in accordance with 7.3.1.1 (a) and 7.3.2.
Column (11) "Portable tank and bulk container special provisions"
Contains the alphanumeric codes of the portable tank special provisions that
have additionally to be met. These codes, starting with the letters "TP" refer to
special provisions for the construction or use of these portable tanks. They are to
be found in 4.2.5.3.
NOTE: If technically relevant, these special provisions are not only applicable
to the portable tanks specified in column (10), but also to the portable tanks that
may be used according to the table in 4.2.5.2.5.
Column (12) "Tank codes for ADR tanks"
Contains an alphanumeric code describing a tank type, in accordance with
4.3.3.1.1 (for gases of Class 2) or 4.3.4.1.1 (for substances of Classes 3 to 9).
This tank type corresponds to the least stringent tank provisions that are
acceptable for the carriage of the relevant substance in ADR tanks. The codes
describing the other permitted tank types are to be found in 4.3.3.1.2 (for gases
of Class 2) or 4.3.4.1.2 (for substances of Classes 3 to 9). If no code is given,
carriage in ADR tanks is not permitted.
If in this column a tank code for solids (S) and for liquids (L) is indicated, this
means that this substance may be offered for carriage in tanks in the solid or the
liquid (molten) state. In general this provision is applicable to substances having
melting points from 20 °C to 180 °C.
If for a solid, only a tank code for liquids (L) is indicated in this column, this
means that this substance is only offered for carriage in tanks in the liquid
(molten) state.
The general requirements for the construction, equipment, type approval, testing
and marking that are not indicated in the tank code are to be found in 6.8.1,
6.8.2, 6.8.3 and 6.8.5. The general requirements for the use (e.g. maximum
degree of filling, minimum test pressure) are to be found in 4.3.1 to 4.3.4.
The indication of a "(M)" after the tank code means that the substance can also
be carried in battery-vehicles or MEGCs.
The indication of a (+) after the tank code means that the alternative use of the
tanks is permitted only where this is specified in the certificate of type approval.
For fibre-reinforced plastic tanks, see 4.4.1 and Chapter 6.9; for vacuum
operated waste tanks, see 4.5.1 and Chapter 6.10.
NOTE: Special provisions, indicated in Column (13), may change the above
requirements.
Column (13) "Special provisions for ADR tanks"
Contains the alphanumeric codes of the special provisions for ADR tanks that
have additionally to be met:
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TU" refer to special
provisions for the use of these tanks. These are to be found in 4.3.5;
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TC" refer to special provisions
for the construction of these tanks. These are to be found in 6.8.4 (a);
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TE" refer to special provisions
concerning the items of equipment of these tanks. These are to be found in
6.8.4 (b);
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TA" refer to special
provisions for the type approval of these tanks. These are to be found in
6.8.4 (c);
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TT" refer to special provisions
for the testing of these tanks. These are to be found in 6.8.4 (d);
- Alphanumeric codes starting with the letters "TM" refer to special provisions
for the marking of these tanks. These are to be found in 6.8.4 (e).
NOTE: If technically relevant, these special provisions are not only applicable
to the tanks specified in column (12), but also to the tanks that may be used
according to the hierarchies in 4.3.3.1.2 and 4.3.4.1.2.
Column (14) "Vehicle for tank carriage"
Contains a code designating the vehicle (including the drawing vehicle of trailers
or semi-trailers) (see 9.1.1) to be used for the carriage of the substance in tank in
accordance with 7.4.2. The requirements concerning the construction and
approval of vehicles are to be found in Chapters 9.1, 9.2 and 9.7.
Column (15) "Transport category / (Tunnel restriction code)"
Contains at the top of the cell a figure indicating the transport category to which
the substance or article is assigned for the purposes of exemption related to
quantities carried per transport unit (see 1.1.3.6).
Contains at the bottom of the cell, between brackets, the tunnel restriction code
that refers to the applicable restriction for the passage of vehicles carrying the
substance or article through road tunnels. These are to be found in Chapter 8.6.
When no tunnel restriction code has been assigned, this is indicated by the
mention ‘(─)’.
Column (16) "Special provisions for carriage - Packages"
Contains the alphanumeric code(s), starting with letter "V", of the applicable
special provisions (if any) for carriage in packages. These are listed in 7.2.4.
General provisions concerning the carriage in packages are to be found in
Chapters 7.1 and 7.2.
NOTE: In addition, special provisions indicated in Column (18), concerning
loading, unloading and handling, shall be observed.
Column (17) "Special provisions for carriage - Bulk"
Contains the alphanumeric code(s), starting with letters "VC", as well as the
alphanumeric code(s) starting with letters "AP", of the applicable provisions for
carriage in bulk. These are listed in 7.3.3. If no special provision, identified by
the code "VC" or a reference to a specific paragraph, explicitly authorizing this
mode of carriage is indicated in this column, and no special provision, identified
by the code "BK" or a reference to a specific paragraph, explicitly authorizing
this mode of carriage is indicated in column (10), carriage in bulk is not
permitted. General and additional provisions concerning carriage in bulk are to
be found in Chapters 7.1 and 7.3.
NOTE: In addition, special provisions indicated in Column (18), concerning
loading, unloading and handling, shall be observed.
Column (18) "Special provisions for carriage – Loading, unloading and handling"
Contains the alphanumeric code(s), starting with letters "CV", of the applicable
special provisions for loading, unloading and handling. These are listed in
7.5.11. If no code is given, only the general provisions apply (see 7.5.1 to
7.5.10).
Column (19) "Special provisions for carriage - Operation"
Contains the alphanumeric code(s), starting with letter "S", of the applicable
special provisions for operation which are listed in Chapter 8.5. These provisions
shall be applied in addition to the requirements of Chapters 8.1 to 8.4 but in the
event of conflict with the requirements of Chapters 8.1 to 8.4, the special
provisions shall take precedence.
Column (20) "Hazard identification number"
Contains a two or three figure number (preceded in certain cases by the letter
"X") for substances and articles of classes 2 to 9, and for substances and articles
of Class 1, the classification code (see column (3b)). In the cases described in
5.3.2.1, this number shall appear in the upper half of the orange-coloured plates.
The meaning of the hazard identification numbers is explained in 5.3.2.3.