UN Hazard Identification Numbers, Classes and Packing Groups

Overview

The UN Hazard Identification Numbers, Classes and packing groups all relate to the transportation of the waste material. For a more detailed explanation and description of the numbers and classes it is recommended that the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification is consulted through the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures) Regulations.

UN Identification Numbers

The Hazard Identification Number (HIN) is a two or three digit reference code which describes the nature of the material being transported in terms of its physical and chemical properties. The first digit represents the following hazards:

  • 1 - Explosives
  • 2 - Emission of gas due to pressure or to chemical reaction
  • 3 - Flammability of liquids
  • 4 - Flammability of solid or self-heating liquid
  • 5 - Oxidizing (fire intensifying) effect
  • 6 - Toxic or risk of infection
  • 7 - Radioactivity
  • 8 - Corrosive
  • 9 - Risk of spontaneous violent reaction

The second digit relates to a number of factors. For example, if the second digit is a repeat of the first digit then this indicates that the hazard is intensified. When the second digit is a zero, then the first digit adequately describes the hazard. A couple of examples are given below:

  • 90 - Environmentally hazardous substance, miscellaneous dangerous substance
  • 606 -Toxic infectious substance

UN Identification Classes

UN Identification classes are very similar to the hazard codes but in this case relate to transport of the materials; the classes are listed below:

  • Class 1 - Explosive
    • 1.1 - Substances with a mass explosion hazard
    • 1.2 - Substances which present a projection hazard but no mass
    • 1.3 - Substances which present both a fire hazard and a minor blast or projection
    • 1.4 - No significant hazard
    • 1.5 - Very insensitive substances with a mass explosion hazard
    • 1.6 - Very insensitive articles with no mass explosion hazard
  • Class 2 - Gases
    • 2.1 - Flammable gases
    • 2.2 - Non Flammable, non-toxic gases
    • 2.3 - Toxic gases
  • Class 3 - Flammable liquids
  • Class 4 - Flammable Solids
    • 4.1 - Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives
    • 4.2 - Materials liable to spontaneous combustion
    • 4.3 - Substances which, in contact with water, release flammable gases
  • Class 5 - Oxidising substances and organic peroxides
    • 5.1 - Oxidizing agents
    • 5.2 - Organic peroxides
  • Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious substances
    • 6.1 - Toxic substances
    • 6.2 - Infectious substances
  • Class 7 - Radioactive substances
  • Class 8 - Corrosive substances
  • Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous substances

Packing Groups

  • Group 1 - Great Danger
  • Group 2 - Medium Danger
  • Group 3 - Minor Danger

Reference

UN Hazard Identification Numbers, Classes, and Packing Groups