{"id":6908,"date":"2020-09-01T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.thecompliancecenter.com\/?p=6908"},"modified":"2025-11-13T10:36:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T15:36:27","slug":"is-a-placard-required","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecompliancecenter.com\/ca\/help-center\/articles\/is-a-placard-required\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a Placard Required?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post was originally published in March 2017 and has been updated in November 2025 for accuracy.
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Answers from the Helpdesk<\/h2>\n

Placarding is one of the more complicated areas of the hazardous materials regulations. There are so many variables and exceptions, no wonder it becomes confusing.<\/p>\n

Let’s practice using a real helpdesk question.<\/p>\n

What <\/span>placards<\/span><\/a> are required for each shipment (<\/span>49 CFR<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>TDG<\/span><\/a>)? Write down your answer before scrolling down to read the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

SHIPMENT 1:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

9000 LBS (4082 KG) CORROSIVE UN1719, (ALL NON-BULK PACKAGING)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0SHIPMENT 2:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(ALL NON-BULK PACKAGING)<\/p>\n

9000 LBS (4082 KG) CORROSIVE UN1719
\n1500 LBS (680 KG) CORROSIVE UN1791<\/p>\n

1500 LBS (680 KG) CORROSIVE UN3264
\n1500 LBS (680 KG) CORROSIVE UN3265<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0SHIPMENT 3:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(ALL NON-BULK PACKAGING)<\/p>\n

200 LBS (91 KG) CORROSIVE UN1719
\n200 LBS (91 KG) CORROSIVE UN1791,<\/p>\n

200 LBS (91 KG) CORROSIVE UN3264
\n200 (91 KG) LBS CORROSIVE, UN3265<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Click here to see the 49 CFR answers \u00bb<\/a>
\nClick here to see the TDGR answers \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

49 CFR Regulations<\/h2>\n

The placarding requirements are found in Part 172.500 of the <\/span>Hazardous Materials Regulations<\/span>. <\/span> The general rule<\/strong> is going to be:<\/p>\n

If in bulk, you always need a <\/span>placard<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If non-bulk, then it depends on if the hazard class is in Table 1 or 2, and the amount that is being shipped.<\/p>\n

Also, in most cases, <\/span>4 placards are required<\/span>, one on each side and one on each end. (Read our Placard FAQ’s<\/a> for more information)<\/span><\/p>\n

When shipping in bulk, a UN number is required on the placard. You will find this referenced in the marking section Part 172.331.<\/p>\n

(a) Each person who offers a hazardous material to a motor carrier for transportation in a bulk packaging shall provide the motor carrier with the required identification numbers on placards or plain white square-on-point display configurations, as authorized, or shall affix <\/span>orange panels<\/span><\/a> containing the required identification numbers to the packaging prior to or at the time the material is offered for transportation, unless the packaging is already marked with the identification number as required by this subchapter.<\/span><\/p>\n

(b) Each person who offers a bulk packaging containing a hazardous material for transportation shall affix to the packaging the required identification numbers on <\/span>orange panels<\/span>, square-on-point configurations or placards, as appropriate, prior to, or at the time the packaging is offered for transportation unless it is already marked with identification numbers as required by this subchapter.<\/span><\/p>\n

For non-bulk, the following references are also important:<\/strong>
\nThe reference for this is 49 CFR \u00a7172.301(a)(1)(3):<\/p>\n

\u201c(3) Large quantities of a single hazardous material in non-bulk packages.<\/em> A transport vehicle or freight container containing only a single hazardous material in non-bulk packages must be marked, on each side and each end as specified in the \u00a7172.332 or \u00a7172.336, with the identification number specified for the hazardous material in the \u00a7172.101 Table, subject to the following provisions and limitations:<\/p>\n

(i) Each package is marked with the same proper shipping name and identification number;<\/p>\n

(ii) The aggregate gross weight of the hazardous material is 4,000 kg (8,820 pounds) or more;<\/p>\n

(iii) All of the hazardous material is loaded at one loading facility;<\/p>\n

(iv) The transport vehicle or freight container contains no other material, hazardous or otherwise; and<\/p>\n

(v) The identification number marking requirement of this paragraph (a)(3) does not apply to Class 1, Class 7, or to non-bulk packaging’s for which identification numbers are not required.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Answers:<\/h2>\n

Which placards are required according to 49 CFR?<\/h3>\n

Shipment 1:<\/strong> 4- <\/span>Class 8 placards<\/span><\/a> are required with UN1719<\/span><\/p>\n

Why? The class 8 placard is required as it is being shipped as a single commodity in non-bulk exceeding 8,820 lbs (4000.68 kg)<\/em><\/p>\n

Shipment 2:<\/strong> 4- Class 8 placards are required, UN number not<\/u> required<\/p>\n

Why? The class 8 Placard is required, the UN number is not required because there are multiple hazardous goods being shipped on the same shipment<\/em><\/p>\n

Shipment 3:<\/strong> No placards are required<\/p>\n

Why? No placards are required because Class 8 materials appear on table 2 and is under 454 kg (1001 lbs)<\/em><\/p>\n

Transport Canada<\/h2>\n

The placarding requirements are found in Part 4 of the <\/span>Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG)<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following are some general rules<\/strong> for placarding under the TDG regulations in Canada.<\/p>\n

In most cases, <\/span>four placards<\/span> are required,<\/span> on both sides and both ends of the transport unit.<\/p>\n

A placard is required if the chemical is in a quantity or concentration for which an ERAP is required.<\/p>\n

If 500 kg or more of a quantity is being transported of one hazard class a placard is required.<\/p>\n

4.15.2 UN Numbers on a Large Means of Containment says:<\/strong><\/p>\n

UN numbers, except UN numbers for dangerous goods included in Class 1, Explosives, must be displayed on a large means of containment in accordance with subsection 4.8(2) if the dangerous goods<\/p>\n

(a) are in a quantity or concentration for which an emergency response assistance plan is required; or<\/p>\n

(b) are a liquid or a gas in direct contact with the large means of containment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4.16.1 Placarding Exemption for Dangerous Goods Having a Gross Mass of 500 kg or Less says:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Subsection (1) provides an exemption from placarding requirements if the dangerous goods in or on a road vehicle or railway vehicle have a gross mass that is less than or equal to 500 kg.<\/p>\n

Subsection (2) sets out which dangerous goods cannot be counted in the 500 kg and are, therefore, subject to the placarding requirements.<\/p>\n

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  1. Except in the case of the dangerous goods listed in subsection (2), a placard is not required to be displayed on a road vehicle or railway vehicle if the dangerous goods in or on the road vehicle or railway vehicle have a gross mass that is less than or equal to 500 kg.<\/li>\n
  2. The exemption set out in subsection (1) does not apply to dangerous goods\n