IMDG Dangerous Goods Awareness key terms

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code: the rulebook adopted under SOLAS that governs how dangerous goods are classified, packed, marked, documented, stowed and segregated for sea transport.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. Its Chapter VII gives the IMDG Code mandatory legal force for ships engaged on international voyages.

The part of the marine pollution convention that regulates packaged harmful substances carried by sea and makes the IMDG Code's marine pollutant provisions mandatory.

A national body designated by a government to administer dangerous goods rules, such as approving packagings, issuing transport documents or granting exemptions within its jurisdiction.

The globally harmonised framework for dangerous goods transport issued by the United Nations. Modal codes such as the IMDG Code, ADR and IATA DGR are built from it.

The central IMDG Code table listing entries by UN number and proper shipping name, with class, packing group, packing instructions, stowage and segregation requirements for each.

A four-digit identifier assigned by the United Nations to a specific dangerous substance or group of substances, used to look up the correct entry in the Dangerous Goods List.

The exact name shown in the Dangerous Goods List that must appear on documents, marks and labels for a consignment, rather than a trade or brand name.

One of nine hazard groupings in the IMDG Code, such as flammable liquids or toxic substances, that determines the labels, packing and stowage rules that apply to a substance.

A subdivision within a class that narrows the hazard, for example Class 1 explosives split into divisions 1.1 to 1.6 or Class 4 into 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3.

A ranking of the degree of danger within a class, using I for great danger, II for medium and III for minor danger, which drives packaging performance requirements.

A substance identified as harmful to the marine environment, marked in the Dangerous Goods List and subject to additional marking, documentation and stowage controls under MARPOL.

A letter assigned to Class 1 explosives that groups substances and articles which may be stowed or packed together without creating an unacceptable additional hazard.

A numbered code in the IMDG Code specifying which packagings, including inner packagings, may be used for a substance and any quantity limits per package.

A packaging design type that has passed performance testing and carries the UN mark, showing it is approved for the packing group and substance it is used with.

A provision allowing smaller inner packaging quantities of certain dangerous goods to be carried under relaxed marking, labelling and documentation rules, marked with the limited quantity mark.

A very small quantity allowance for certain dangerous goods, such as gram or millilitre limits, that is exempt from most IMDG requirements apart from basic marking and training.

A diamond-shaped placard showing the class symbol, hazard colours and class number, applied to packages to communicate the primary and subsidiary risks of the contents.

A large hazard sign fixed to a cargo transport unit, such as a container or tank, to show the class of dangerous goods inside and warn responders and stevedores.

The signed shipping document that states the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity and emergency contact details for a consignment.

A declaration confirming that a freight container was packed and secured in line with the IMDG Code, signed by the person responsible for packing it.

A freight container, road vehicle, rail wagon or tank used to carry dangerous goods as a single unit, to which placarding and segregation rules apply.

The separation of incompatible dangerous goods from each other or from other cargo, using distance, intervening spaces or compartments to prevent dangerous reactions.

The placement of dangerous goods on a ship, including on deck or under deck, away from heat or living quarters, in line with the Dangerous Goods List requirements.

A numbered clause in the IMDG Code that modifies or adds to the standard requirements for a particular entry, for example exempting small quantities from certain rules.

The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to ignite when exposed to an ignition source, used to classify flammable liquids.

The IMDG Code's Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods, giving fire and spill response schedules referenced by each dangerous goods entry.

The MFAG, a companion to the IMDG Code giving treatment advice for exposure to specific dangerous goods, referenced by the dangerous goods entry and used in incidents.

The obligation to report dangerous goods incidents, such as spills, leaks or package failures, to the ship, port authority and flag state using the required reporting format.

A trained person appointed to monitor compliance with dangerous goods rules, advise on classification, packing and documentation, and maintain records of training and incidents.

The basic IMDG training that gives all shore and ship staff a familiarity with the hazards, labels, documentation and general rules so they can recognise and handle dangerous goods safely.

Detailed IMDG training for staff whose duties involve dangerous goods directly, such as packing, marking, documenting, stowing or loading, covering the rules relevant to that role.

The shared attitudes and practices that make safety a priority, including reporting near misses, following procedures and challenging unsafe dangerous goods practices.

A permission granted by a competent authority for a packaging or arrangement that does not fully meet the Code, valid for a specified period and often recognised across modes.

The total mass of explosive substance contained in a package or consignment, excluding packaging, used to apply quantity limits for Class 1 goods.