Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Signs)

Introduction

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009) and the European agreement ADR which together regulate the carriage of dangerous goods by road are highly prescriptive. The regulations were substantially restructured for 2009 with direct referencing to ADR for the main duties. CDG 2009 now cross-refers almost totally to ADR, and it is ADR that contains the detailed requirements. We are not experts in this field and this legislation is very complicated, so always ensure that you double check the information stated. The following are simple images of the signs (Labels) used.

Class 1 Explosive substances and articles containing explosives

Explosive substances and articles used to produce explosions or pyrotechnic effect

Explosives sign 1.1 1.1 – Explosives with a mass explosion hazard Explosives sign 1,2 Division 1.2 – Explosives with a severe projection hazard
Explosives sign 1.3 Division 1.3 – Explosives with a fire, blast or projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard x = Place for compatibility group – to be left blank if explosive is the subsidiary risk
Explosives sign 1.4 Division 1.4 – Explosives with a minor fire or projection hazard Explosives sign 1.5 Division 1.5 – An insensitive substance with a mass explosion hazard
Explosives sign 1.6 Division 1.6 – Extremely insensitive articles x = Place for compatibility group – to be left blank if explosive is the subsidiary risk

Class 2 Gases

Flammable gas sign Division 2.1 – Flammable gasWhite on red or Black on Red Non-flammable, compressed gas sign Division 2.2 – Non-flammable, compressed gas Black on green or White on Green
Toxic gas sign Division 2.3 – Toxic gas

Class 3 Flammable liquids

Flammable liquids sign Division 3 – Flammable liquids White on Red or Black on Red

Class 4 Flammable solids

Flammable solids self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives sign Division 4.1 – Flammable solids self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives Substances liable to spontaneous combustion sign Division 4.2 – Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases sign Division 4.3 – Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases. White on Blue or Black on Blue

Class 5 Oxidising agents

Oxidizing substances sign Class 5.1 – Oxidizing substances Organic peroxides sign Class 5.2 – Organic peroxides Symbol Black or White

Class 6 Toxic substances and Infectious substances

Toxic substances sign Class 6.1 – Toxic substances Class 6.2 – Infectious substances

Class 7 Radioactive material

Radioactive material Category I-WHITE (Symbol 7A) sign Radioactive material Category I-WHITE (Symbol 7A) Radioactive material Category II-YELLOW (Symbol 7B) sign Radioactive material Category II-YELLOW (Symbol 7B)
Radioactive material 7 Category III-YELLOW (Symbol 7C) sign Radioactive material 7 Category III-YELLOW (Symbol 7C) Radioactive material Criticality safety index label (Symbol 7E) sign Radioactive material Criticality safety index label (Symbol 7E)

Class 8 Corrosive substances, 9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Class 8 - Corrosive substances sign Class 8 – Corrosive substances Class 9 - Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles sign Class 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Further labels

Orange-coloured plates, with hazard-identification number and UN-Number sign Orange-coloured plates, with hazard-identification number and UN-Number Indicating elevated temperature (liquid state at a temperature equal to or exceeding 100 °C, in a solid state at a temperature equal to or exceeding 240 °C) sign Indicating elevated temperature (liquid state at a temperature equal to or exceeding 100 °C, in a solid state at a temperature equal to or exceeding 240 °C)
Orientation arrows, black or red sign Orientation arrows, black or red

PLACARDS AND PLATE MARKINGS FOR NATIONAL CARRIAGE

United Kingdom Tankers (Road)

Hazchem Information Sign

Hazchem Information Sign

Continental Tankers (Road)

EC Orange-coloured plate sign

A plate known as a orange-coloured plate and displayed on vehicles and containers carrying hazardous loads is now included in the latest regulations (CDG 2009) It is designed to help the emergency services to deal with incidents involving such vehicles or containers.

The UK orange-coloured plate has more information than the continental plate and the first panel (1), which provides instant information for responding emergency crews, uses a different code than the continental plate. The UK uses an Emergency Action Code also known as Hazchem Code and the continental panel (1) uses a Hazard Identification Number also known as the Kemler Code. They both use the same system in the second panel (2) which is the UN Substance Identification Number.

Further Information

This legislation is very complicated and if you need information on this subject I have provided links which should prove useful. The most useful to start with is Development of dangerous goods legislation and the following links all relate to the subject.

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009

Carriage of Dangerous Goods Manual

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June 6, 2011[Last updated: February 9, 2022]

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