The IMDG code consists of two books (volume 1 and volume 2), and the IMDG code supplement.
IMDG Volume 1
Part – 1: General provision, definitions and training.
Part – 2: Classification.
Part – 4: Packing and tank provision.
Part – 5: Consignment procedure.
Part – 6: Construction and testing of packing’s intermediate bulk containers, large packing portable tanks and road tank vehicles.
Part – 7: Provision concerning transport operation.
IMDG Volume 2
Part 3 Dangerous goods list, special provisions and exceptions
THE IMDG CODE SUPPLEMENT
This includes additional provisions that are relevant to sea transport. These provisions include:
- Emergency response procedures for ships carrying dangerous goods
- Medical first aid guide
- Reporting procedures
- IMO/ILO/UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) guidelines for packing cargo transport units
- Safe use of pesticides in ships, cargo holds and CTUs
- International code for the carriage of packaged irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive wastes on board ships
United Nations (UN) Numbers are four-digit numbers used world-wide in international commerce and transportation to identify hazardous chemicals or classes of hazardous materials. These numbers generally range between 0000 and 3500 and are ideally preceded by the letters “UN” (for example, “UN1005”) to avoid confusion with other number codes.
North American (NA) Numbers are identical to UN numbers. If a material does not have a UN number, it may be assigned an NA number; these are usually 4-digit numbers starting with 8 or 9 such as 9037 (or ideally, NA9037), the NA number for hexachloroethane.
UN/NA numbers are required for the shipment of hazardous materials. You have probably seen placards (such as the one on the right) that bear a UN/NA number on railway cars, trucks, shipping containers etc.
Updating IMDG Code
The IMDG Code is an international regulation which is continuously evolving and is updated every two years to take account of:
- New dangerous goods which have to be included;
- New technology and new methods of working with/handling dangerous goods
- Safety concerns which arise as a result of human experience.
9 Classes of Dangerous Goods
Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
Class 7: Radioactive material
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
These 9 hazard classes have been established internationally by a United Nations (UN) committee to ensure that all modes of transport (road, rail, air and sea) classify dangerous goods in the same way.
UN Number & Proper Shipping Names
Within each of the 9 hazard classes, dangerous goods are assigned to UN Numbers (A four-digit number known as the UN Number which is preceded by the letters UN) and Proper Shipping Names (PSN) according to their hazard classification and their composition. These 9 hazard classes have been established internationally by a United Nations (UN) committee to ensure that all modes of transport (road, rail, air and sea) classify dangerous goods in the same way. For example, kerosene is identified in the IMDG Code by its UN Number UN 1223 and the PSN Kerosene.
Together the UN Number and PSN uniquely identify dangerous goods to enable rapid and precise identification during transport to ensure the correct handling, stowage, segregation etc, and in the event of an emergency, ensure that the correct procedures are followed.
Marine pollutant mark
Cargo transport units containing marine pollutants shall clearly display the marine pollutant mark, even if the cargo transport unit contains packages not required to bear the marine pollutant mark. The mark shall conform to the specifications given in the IMDG Code regulations