Dangerous goods marks on a small means of containment

This document does not change, create, amend or suggest deviations to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG Regulations).

This document is an overview of the requirements for using dangerous goods marks, which identify dangerous goods. It is for anyone who imports, offers for transport, handles or transports dangerous goods in small means of containment.

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General information

Dangerous goods marks must be displayed on a small means of containment in accordance with Part 4 of the TDG Regulations. The dangerous goods marks can either be those illustrated in the appendix of Part 4 of the TDG Regulations, or those illustrated in Chapter 5.2 or 5.3 of the United Nations (UN) Recommendations.

As per the definition in Section 2 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (TDG Act), a dangerous goods mark means a symbol, device, sign, label, placard, letter, word, number or abbreviation, or any combination of those things, that is to be displayed to indicate the presence or nature of danger on dangerous goods, or on a means of containment or means of transport used in importing, offering for transport, handling or transporting dangerous goods. A small means of containment is a means of containment with a capacity less than or equal to 450 L.

Dangerous goods marks must be (Section 4.6):

  • visible
  • legible
  • displayed against a background of contrasting colour
  • made of durable and weather-resistant material
  • displayed in the colours specified in Section 4.6(c) of the TDG Regulations
Class 3 dangerous goods marking, Flammable Liquids (a red square resting on a point with a '3' on the bottom point and a flame symbol on the top point) under an umbrella.

Labels

A label must always be displayed on a small means of containment containing dangerous goods. One label is required for the primary class, as well as one for each subsidiary class of the dangerous goods.

Each side of a label must be at least 100 mm in length with a line running 5 mm inside the edge. However, except for dangerous goods included in Class 7, Radioactive Materials, if that size label, together with the shipping name, technical name and UN number, cannot be displayed because of the irregular shape or size of the small means of containment, each side of the label may be reduced in length by the same amount to the point where the label, together with the shipping name, technical name and UN number, will fit that small means of containment, but must not be reduced to less than 30 mm.

Left image. A white square on point. Starting from the bottom, the number 6. Symbol of three crescents superimposed on a circle in top portion with the size (100 mm) displayed in the upper left corner of the label.

Aside from labels, a small means of containment must also display the shipping name, technical name (if applicable) and UN number of the dangerous goods in transport. The UN number may appear on or next to the primary class label.

Black drum depicting a red square on point label for Class 3, Flammable Liquids. Starting from the bottom, the number 3. The symbol of a flame in white in the top portion. Below the red square on point label is the writing UN 1203 inside a white rectangle in the centre.

Next to the primary class label.

Black drum depicting a red square on point label for Class 3, Flammable Liquids. Starting from the bottom, the number 3. The symbol of a flame in white in the top portion. Inside the red square on point label for Class 3, Flammable Liquids is the writing 1203 inside a white rectangle.

Within a white rectangle on the primary class label (without the prefix "UN").

Marks

White square on point with UN3373 in the centre.

Category B mark must be displayed on small means of containment containing infectious substances included in UN3373, BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B.

 
A white square on a point with a symbol of a dead fish and a dead tree in the centre.

Marine pollutant mark must be displayed on small means of containment for dangerous goods that are marine pollutants in transport by vessel.

Displaying dangerous goods marks on a small means of containment

Labels for the primary and subsidiary classes can be displayed on any side, except the top or bottom, of a small means of containment, and on the shoulder of cylinders. A package containing Class 7, Radioactive Materials must display a label on two opposite sides other than the side it is intended to rest or is to be stacked. Exceptions to this basic labeling rule can be found in Section 4.10 of the TDG Regulations.

Below are examples of information that can be required on a small means of containment:

  • labels for primary & subsidiary classes
  • shipping name
  • technical name (if dangerous goods is subject to Special Provision 16)
  • UN number
  • name or symbol of radionuclide, activity and transport index (if dangerous goods is included in Class 7, Radioactive Materials)
  • the words “inhalation hazard” or “dangereux par inhalation” (if dangerous goods are included in Class 6.1, Toxic Substances, in accordance with Paragraph 2.28(c) of the TDG Regulations, Class 2.3, Toxic Gases, in accordance with Paragraph 2.14(c) of the TDG Regulations or are subject to Special Provision 23)
A yellow 3D box displaying a red square on point label for Class 3, Flammable Liquids. Starting from the bottom, the number 3. The symbol of a flame in white in the top portion. Below the red square on point is the writing Flammable liquids, n.o.s, (acetone) UN1993.

Compliance with the TDG Act and Regulations

Failure to comply with the TDG Act and TDG Regulations may lead to fines and/or imprisonment. For more information, you can visit the TDG website and the Department of Justice website.

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