Canada IMDG Marine DG key terms

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code: the uniform international rulebook adopted by IMO for the safe carriage of packaged dangerous goods by sea, covering classification, packing, marking, documentation, stowage and segregation.

The chapter of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea that gives the IMDG Code mandatory legal force for ships on international voyages, covering carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form and in solid bulk form.

The annex of the marine pollution convention that regulates prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form, using the same package marking and documentation approach as the IMDG Code.

Canadian federal legislation that makes dangerous goods transport requirements enforceable in Canada, supported by regulations that adopt or mirror international modal rules including the IMDG Code for marine shipments.

The detailed Canadian regulations made under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, setting out classification, documentation, means of containment, training, and emergency response assistance plan obligations for all modes.

A national body designated to administer dangerous goods rules, able to issue approvals, exemptions, or alternative arrangements; in Canada this role is filled by Transport Canada for marine dangerous goods matters.

One of the nine broad categories into which dangerous goods are grouped by the predominant hazard they present, such as explosives, flammable liquids, toxic substances, or radioactive material.

A subdivision within a hazard class that separates goods by degree or type of hazard, for example the three divisions of class 1 explosives or the three packing-related divisions of class 6.

A ranking of the degree of danger within certain classes, where I means great danger, II means medium danger, and III means minor danger, and which drives packaging performance requirements.

An additional hazard of a substance beyond its primary class, shown on the Dangerous Goods List and by a secondary hazard label or placard so that responders and stowage planners account for it.

A four-digit identification number assigned internationally to a dangerous substance or article, used on documents, orange plates, and package marks to identify the goods unambiguously.

The official name of a dangerous good as listed in the Dangerous Goods List, which must appear on the transport document and package marking instead of trade or brand names.

The central table of the IMDG Code listing each UN number with its proper shipping name, class, packing group, labels, packing instructions, stowage and segregation provisions, and special provisions.

A numbered clause in the Dangerous Goods List that modifies or adds to the standard requirements for a particular substance, for example exempting certain packings or imposing extra conditions.

A small inner-package allowance under which dangerous goods may be carried with reduced requirements, provided quantity limits per package are respected and the package bears the limited quantity mark.

An allowance for very small quantities of dangerous goods packed in inner packings, carrying the least onerous requirements and identified by the excepted quantity mark on the package.

The information applied to a package or overpack itself, such as the UN number, proper shipping name, marine pollutant mark, and orientation arrows, distinct from hazard labels.

Fixing diamond-shaped hazard labels to packages to show primary and subsidiary risks, using standard colours, symbols, and class numbers so that hazards are recognised without reading text.

An enlarged hazard label, at least 250 millimetres square, affixed to each side of a freight container, vehicle, or other transport unit to warn of the goods inside.

The mark required on packages containing substances identified as harmful to the marine environment, showing a dead fish and tree symbol, and also triggering documentation and stowage obligations.

A substance meeting the IMDG Code criteria for harm to the aquatic environment, whether a listed substance or one meeting the criteria, which must be identified and handled to prevent release into the sea.

The shipping paper prepared by the consignor that states UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity, packing details, and emergency contact information for the consignment.

A declaration signed by the person responsible for packing a freight container or vehicle, confirming the goods are properly stowed, secured, segregated, and that the unit is fit for the voyage.

The transmission of dangerous goods transport information between parties in an agreed electronic message format, permitted in place of paper documents where acceptable to the authorities concerned.

An alphanumeric code in the Dangerous Goods List that specifies the permitted packaging types, quantity limits, and testing requirements for a substance according to its packing group.

The series of drop, stack, leakproofness, and hydraulic tests a packaging design must pass to be certified for a given packing group, evidenced by the UN symbol and code markings.

Intermediate bulk container: a rigid or flexible reusable container of capacity above 450 litres and up to 3000 litres, built and tested to UN standards for certain liquid or solid dangerous goods.

A packaging consisting of an outer packaging containing articles or inner packings, with a capacity exceeding 450 litres but not more than 3000 litres, designed for mechanical handling.

A multimodal tank of at least 450 litres capacity fitted with pressure-relief and filling equipment, built to an approved design and tested periodically for carrying liquid dangerous goods.

A transport unit comprising a tank shell within a container-sized frame, used for bulk liquids and subject to its own construction, inspection, and testing requirements under the Code.

The placement of dangerous goods on board a ship in a position appropriate to their hazard, such as on deck, away from living quarters, or protected from heat sources.

The physical separation of incompatible dangerous goods from each other or from other cargo on board, applied at levels ranging from away from to separated longitudinally by an intervening compartment.

The matrix in the Code that gives the required separation level for each pair of hazard classes, read together with the class of the goods and any special stowage provisions.

The lashing, shoring, and restraint of packages and transport units so they cannot shift in heavy weather, protecting both the cargo and the ship's stability.

The IMDG Code's emergency response procedures for ships, giving a schedule of fire and spill actions for each substance, referenced by an EmS number on the transport document.

The Medical First Aid Guide for use in accidents involving dangerous goods, providing diagnostic and treatment advice for exposure by inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, keyed to substance guide numbers.

A Canadian requirement for consignors of certain high-risk dangerous goods to have a pre-arranged plan and resources available to assist responders during an incident.

A documented set of measures addressing personnel, physical, and procedural security for dangerous goods at risk of misuse, required for certain high-consequence goods under the Code's security provisions.

Goods that, if diverted or misused, could cause mass casualties or major disruption, and which therefore attract enhanced security requirements during storage, loading, and carriage.

Instruction given to shore and ship personnel so they recognise security risks, know their responsibilities, and can report suspicious activity or breaches affecting dangerous goods consignments.

The baseline instruction required for all persons involved in dangerous goods, covering the hazard classes, marking and labelling, documentation, and emergency procedures relevant to their duties.

Detailed instruction tailored to a person's actual duties, such as packing, documenting, or loading dangerous goods, required before that person performs the task unsupervised.

An enclosure used by a single consignor to consolidate two or more packages into one handling unit, which must itself be marked and labelled to reflect the goods inside.

A freight container, vehicle, wagon, or other unit in which packages of dangerous goods are carried, and which must be placarded and, for sea, certified as properly packed.