Tag: CLASSIFICATION

WHAT IS SUBSIDIARY RISK?

Image showing a bottle of Benzene
Image showing a bottle of Benzene (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Class or division represents the main risk posed by the dangerous goods. There are total 15 predominant classes and divisions which are listed below

  1. Class 1          Explosives
  2. Class 2.1       Flammable Gases
  3. Class 2.2       non-flammable, non-toxic gases
  4. Class 2.3       toxic gases
  5. Class 3          Flammable liquids
  6. Class 4.1       flammable solids, self-reactive    substances    and solid desensitized Explosives
  7. Class 4.2       substances liable to spontaneous    combustion
  8. Class 4.3       substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
  9. Class 5.1       oxidizing substances
  10. Class 5.2       organic peroxides
  11. Class 6.1       toxic substances
  12. Class 6.2       infectious substances
  13. Class 7          Radioactive material
  14. Class 8          Corrosive substances

15. Class 9        Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Some of the substances have multiple hazards.

Ethanol is a flammable liquid listed under UN 1170, ETHANOL, and Class 3

Methanol is a flammable liquid which is also toxic listed under UN 1230, METHANOL, Class 3, and Subsidiary Risk 6.1

Ethanol has only one risk, flammability

Methanol has two risks, Main risk = Flammability & Subsidiary risk = toxicity

Deutsch: Ethanol, Spiritus, vergällter Alkohol...
Deutsch: Ethanol, Spiritus, vergällter Alkohol English: ethanol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To know more about classification procedures and risks refer chapter 2.0 & 2.x of IMDG Code for respective classes.

Related articles

Responsibilities in IMDG Code

Most of the sections in IMDG Code prescribes the action but does not specifically point out the party or person who is responsible for that action.  The shoulder(s) which need to bear the responsibilities of actions set out in IMDG Code may vary according to the individual countries laws. It remains the prerogative of each government to assign the respective responsibilities.

However regarding Classification of dangerous goods IMDG Code specifically states it is the responsibility of shipper or the competent authority where specified in the Code.

Responsibility of classification of most of the classes remains with shipper but IMDG Code delegates the responsibility to competent authority in below cases

 Class 1 ( Explosives ) : Classification shall be approved by the competent authority of the country of manufacture.

 Class 4.1 Self-reactive substances: Which are not listed in section 2.4.2.3.2.3, IBC520 or T23

 Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides: Which are not listed in section 2.5.3.2.4, IBC520 or T23