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Shakespeare once said, \u201cThat which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.\u201d Which is true, but unless you\u2019re allergic to roses, misclassifying a rose as a violet isn\u2019t a safety hazard. But when you\u2019re dealing with dangerous goods, getting the right shipping name is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n What exactly is a <\/span>shipping name<\/span><\/i>? Well, in the dangerous goods system, it\u2019s a name which can categorize a substance in a way that would be understandable to handlers and emergency responders. Trade names, which are usually selected by marketers, don\u2019t normally give much guidance as to the hazards of a product, so shippers must assign a shipping name from a defined list in the regulation they\u2019re shipping under. There are approximately 3500 names to choose from, though, so picking the right one takes some skill.<\/span><\/p>\n Shipping names were first developed in the United Nations Recommendations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods<\/a><\/em><\/span> (UN Recommendations<\/a><\/span>). This list is updated every two years, so some older names have been phased out. New names are introduced where needed, such as when new technology like lithium batteries are developed. Also, some regulations, such as the “Hazardous Materials Regulations” of 49 CFR<\/a><\/span>, have supplemented the list with additional names which can be used if shipping under those regulations. That\u2019s how we have odd names in 49 CFR, such as \u201cCompounds, tree-killing liquid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to go about selecting a shipping name for your product. Note that this is a generic plan based on the UN Recommendations. Consult the regulation you\u2019re shipping under for full details.<\/span><\/p>\n For common products with hazards that are consistent and well-known, the shipping name may simply be the substance or article name. You just need to go to the list of dangerous goods in the regulation you\u2019re using. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n For example, the chemical toluene is assigned the name \u201cToluene,\u201d and lithium-ion technology batteries are named \u201cLithium-ion batteries.\u201d Finding shipping names for such products is pretty simple \u2013 you just go to the list of shipping names in each regulation and look them up. Note that some regulations list the shipping names alphabetically in their tables, while some do it numerically. Those that use the numerical system will have a cross-reference table in alphabetical order after the main table. Then the list will assign the rest of the description (identification number, hazard class, and packing group, if any).<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget that many chemicals have a number of synonyms. If, for example, you look up \u201cmethylene dichloride,\u201d you won\u2019t find it listed, but the synonym \u201cdichloromethane\u201d will give you a hit as a specific shipping name. Abbreviations such as HCl for hydrochloric acid, or trade names such as \u201cmuriatic acid\u201d also don\u2019t show up as shipping names, so you may have to try a few different options if the first one doesn\u2019t succeed. Sometimes a synonym may appear on the list to direct you to the correct shipping name, but this isn\u2019t guaranteed.<\/span><\/p>\n If your substance is listed by name but has been diluted with non-dangerous goods such as water, check to see if your substance still meets the criteria for the same class and packing group. If it does, you may use the specific shipping name with the words \u201cmixture\u201d or \u201csolution\u201d added. So, a solution of acetone in water that has the same class and packing group as pure acetone may be named \u201cAcetone solution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n When selecting your shipping name, watch out for \u201cdescriptive text.\u201d This is text given in the list that isn\u2019t meant to be part of the shipping name, but directions for how and when the particular entry is to be used. It\u2019s usually indicated by being given in lower case text (in lists where the shipping name is given in upper case), as <\/span>italics<\/span><\/i> rather than as roman text (in 49 CFR), or in light type, rather than <\/span>bold type<\/b> in the IATA DGR. For example, in TDG and the IMDG Code, you\u2019ll find the entry \u201cRESIN SOLUTION, flammable.\u201d The shipping name you want is \u201cRESIN SOLUTION.\u201d The word \u201cflammable\u201d is not part of the name, but restricts the use of this entry to resins which are flammable based on their flashpoints. Non-flammable resins wouldn\u2019t use this entry and may not be dangerous goods at all unless they have some other hazard.<\/span><\/p>\n But what if your product isn\u2019t listed by name? This can happen if your product is a mixture of two or more dangerous goods, a newly-developed chemical, or simply a substance that isn\u2019t shipped in large enough quantities to make establishing a specific shipping name viable. It doesn\u2019t mean that your product isn\u2019t dangerous goods, though. As long as the properties of the substance make it dangerous in any of the nine hazard classes, the subtree-killing stance will be regulated. So, you\u2019ll have to start from the opposite end of the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n First, determine if your product is actually dangerous goods, by testing or analyzing it. For example, if you suspect it could be a flammable liquid, a flash point test will tell you for sure. Remember that many products may have more than one hazard, so you\u2019ll have to examine it to see if it falls into other classes as well, such as toxic substance or corrosive. If it does, each regulation will have a table that will help you determine which is the primary (most important) hazard, and which is the subsidiary (less significant) hazard. Don\u2019t forget to select the appropriate packing group as well, if one applies to your hazards.<\/span><\/p>\n Then, once you have your class and packing group, you must find a generic shipping name that matches your classification. You may find various names that might describe your product with different degrees of precision. Types of shipping names include:<\/span><\/p>\n So, if multiple shipping names might describe your product, which one should you choose? Some regulations give more guidance than others, but in general you should search for the one that gives the most specific information. So, \u201cKetones, n.o.s.\u201d would be more specific than \u201cFlammable liquid, n.o.s.\u201d because it indicates the general type of chemical in the substance, rather than just the class. For emergency responders, this information can be useful. Ketones, for example, are usually what the chemists call \u201cpolar solvents.\u201d They would be more soluble in water than, say, a substance named \u201cHydrocarbons, liquid, n.o.s.\u201d Hydrocarbons are generally water-insoluble.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, many generic names, particularly those that end in \u201cn.o.s.\u201d will also require the addition of what are called \u201ctechnical names.\u201d The \u201cn.o.s.\u201d ending isn\u2019t actually the key to when you need these names, incidentally. Most regulations will use a special provision to indicate when technical names are required (such as the <\/span>IMDG Code<\/span><\/i>\u2019s Special Provision 274, or Special Provision 16 in TDG), or a special symbol assigned to the name, such as the asterisk in the <\/span>IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations<\/span><\/i> or the \u201cG\u201d in 49 CFR.<\/span><\/p>\n Technical names indicate the main hazardous ingredients in the substance. Most regulations based on the UN Recommendations require the listing of one technical name if there is only one dangerous ingredient and the two most significant ingredients if there is more than one. Canada is a little different in requiring \u201cat least one\u201d for all situations in TDG Special Provision 16.<\/span><\/p>\n Technical names, when required, will be marked adjacent to the shipping name on the package and after the shipping name itself on the shipping document. They are placed in parentheses to distinguish them from the actual shipping name. So, if you see \u201cFlammable liquid n.o.s. (acetone, toluene),\u201d you know that acetone and toluene are not separate products in the package, but ingredients in the one substance named Flammable liquid, n.o.s.<\/span><\/p>\n When selecting shipping names, you\u2019ll notice that some indicate that the material is \u201corganic\u201d or \u201cinorganic.\u201d For example, if you\u2019re selecting a hazard-based name for a toxic liquid, you\u2019ll have to choose between \u201cToxic liquid, organic, n.o.s.\u201d and \u201cToxic liquid, inorganic, n.o.s.\u201d What\u2019s the difference? Well, organic chemicals<\/span> are those with structures based on carbon and hydrogen atoms linked together, such as acetone (which has three carbons in its structure, along with hydrogen and oxygen) or pentane (which has five carbons as well as hydrogen). Inorganic chemicals, as you may guess, do not have any such carbon-hydrogen links in their structure. The relevance for transportation safety is that organic chemicals are usually more easily absorbed into the body. Skin contact with the chemical mercury, which is inorganic, doesn\u2019t result in much immediate absorption, while contact with an organic chemical that contains mercury atoms can lead to significant absorption<\/span> before the chemical can be cleaned off. So, all things considered, \u201cToxic liquid, organic, n.o.s.\u201d will require more caution by emergency responders.<\/span><\/p>\n When looking for the ideal generic name, it may be hard to find the best one right away \u2013 after all, there are over a thousand, and many aren\u2019t obvious. For example, if you have a solid substance not listed by name, but testing indicates it belongs in Division 4.3, Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, what is a suitable shipping name? \u201cSubstances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, n.o.s.\u201d doesn\u2019t exist, nor does \u201cDangerous when wet, n.o.s.\u201d But if you have access to the <\/span>IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations<\/span><\/i> for air, you\u2019re in luck. In Table 4.1.A, they list \u201cgeneric and n.o.s. proper shipping names,\u201d helpful arranged by class. Under the heading for Division 4.3, we find that the basic generic hazard-based name is \u201cWater-reactive solid, n.o.s.\u201d That\u2019s not obvious at first glance, and this list can save you a lot of time. Unfortunately, for some reason, this table doesn\u2019t contain the product use-type shipping names such as paint, but those tend to be more well-known by classifiers.<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to look for shipping names that can address special problems. Shipping several different chemicals in one package by air? Use the name \u201cChemical kit\u201d or \u201cConsumer commodity,\u201d and you won\u2019t have to worry about the dreaded Q-value calculation. Shipping machinery that contains dangerous goods you can\u2019t easily remove? \u201cDangerous goods in machinery\u201d solves your problem. Unless the dangerous substance is mercury, in which case \u201cMercury contained in manufactured articles\u201d will be a better solution, or batteries, which can be dealt with as \u201cBattery-powered equipment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not familiar with dangerous goods classification, selecting the shipping name can be a difficult task. ICC Compliance Center can help you with your classification issues. Contact us here at 888-442-9628 (U.S.) or 888-977-4834 (Canada), and ask for one of our regulatory specialists.<\/span><\/p>\n Sources: Stay up to date and sign up for our newsletter!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n We have all the products, services and training you need to ensure your staff is properly trained and informed.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nSelecting a Specific Shipping Name<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Selecting a Generic Shipping Name<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Adding Technical Names<\/b><\/h2>\n
Other Issues in Selecting Shipping Names<\/b><\/h2>\n
\n<\/strong><\/em>UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Rev. 21 (2019)<\/span><\/a>
\nTitle 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Hazardous Materials Regulations<\/span><\/a>
\nTransportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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