This page provides clarification on Paragraph 1.36 (b) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations, which is an exemption provided for certain Class 3, flammable liquids.
This information applies to any person handling, offering for transport, transporting or importing Class 3, flammable liquids, aqueous solutions of alcohol which can be qualified as a mixture of water and alcohol for ease of understanding.
This page does not change, create, or alter the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations.
On this page
- Transportation requirements for aqueous solutions
- Impact on dangerous goods safety marks
- Compliance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations
- Contact us
Transportation requirements for aqueous solutions
When transporting aqueous solutions of alcohol classified as Class 3, flammable liquids which contain methanol as the only dangerous good with a subsidiary class, a person may use the exemption set out in Paragraph 1.36(b) of the TDG Regulations if all of the conditions listed below are met.
Namely that the aqueous solution of alcohol:
- must have a flash point greater than 23°C
- must have an alcohol content that is less than or equal to 50% by volume and contain at least 50% by volume of a substance that is not a dangerous good
- is contained in small means of containment (SMOC)
If there is an alcohol other than methanol with a subsidiary class in the mixture of alcohol and water, the exemption may not be used.
A common example of an alcohol solution containing methanol would be windshield-washer fluid that contains methanol. Paragraph 1.36(b) can be used for windshield-washer fluid that contains methanol, if all the requirements are met.
Note: windshield-washer fluid that shows a total alcohol content range of 30-60% by volume exceeds the 50% by volume limit, and would not be permitted under this special case.
Impact on dangerous goods safety marks
Part 4 of the TDG Regulations does not apply to aqueous solutions of alcohol that meet the requirements of Paragraph 1.36(b). However, the SMOC may display any of the following safety marks or a combination of them:
- class 3 label
- class 6.1 label (if the aqueous solution of alcohol contains methanol)
- UN number
- shipping name
Compliance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods 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.
Contact Us
For questions about the TDG Regulations, contact your local Transport Canada regional office:
| Region | Phone number | |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Region | 1-866-814-1477 | TDG-TMDAtlantic@tc.gc.ca |
| Quebec Region | 1-514-633-3400 | TMD-TDG.Quebec@tc.gc.ca |
| Ontario Region | 1-416-973-1868 | TDG-TMDOntario@tc.gc.ca |
| Prairie & Northern Region | 1-888-463-0521 | TDG-TMDPNR@tc.gc.ca |
| Pacific Region | 1-604-666-2955 | TDGPacific-TMDPacifique@tc.gc.ca |
